“Se tu, m’ami”

Online Courses & Singing Lessons on Zoom

See “KARAOKE KORNER” below for technical help . . .
–HIGH KEY–
–LOW KEY–

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When Alessandro Parisotti was compiling the 24 Italian Songs and Arias, it seems he included a song he composed himself (at least that is what the latest scholarship asserts). And what a lovely song it is! “Se tu m’ami” is a charming expression of the sentiments of a coquette.

She’s playing hard-to-get with her young shepherd boy lover (pastorello) and the delightful vocal line includes “laughing” melissmas which are wonderful for young singers. This is a “chatty” piece with more words than the usual song from the 24 Italian Songs and Arias. It’s a nice challenge for young singers grappling with the Italian language for the first time. Additionally, the minor key tempts the singer to attain deeper emotional expression. Here are the “Se tu m’ami” lyrics and “Se tu m’ami” translation:

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Se tu m’ami lyrics

Se tu m’ami , se tu sospiri
sol per me, gentil pastor,
ho dolore de tuoi martiri,
ho diletto del tuo amor.
Ma se pensi che soletto
io ti debba riamare,
pastorello, sei soggetto
facilmente a t’ingannare.
Bella rosa porporina
oggi Silvia sceglierà,
con la scusa della spina
doman poi la sprezzerà.
Ma degli uomini il consiglio
io per me non seguirò.
Non perchè mi piace il giglio
gli altri fiori sprezzerò.

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If you love me, if you sigh
Only for me, gentle shepherd,
I am sorry for your sufferings,
But if you think that
I must love only you,
Little shepherd, you are subject
Today Silvia will choose,
The beautiful purple rose
Easily to deceive yourself.
With the excuse of its thorns,
Tomorrow, then, she will despise.
But of mens’ council
I, for myself, will not follow.
Not because it pleases me, the lily,
The other flowers will I throw away.

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Our first example is of mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli:

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Ornamentation was a key feature of early Italian vocal music. Our next example, featuring mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato, shows excellent ornamentation in the singing part.

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Our next performance is by baritone, Krum Galabov:

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Claudia Muzio was a very successful singer of the early 20th century. Her rendition of “Se tu m’ami,” full of mystery, is a beautiful example of what the Italians call “con calore” singing in which the singer paints an acoustic landscape with her vocal tone colors. One wonders what she’ll do next! The performance is to full orchestra which also increases that sound color-palate.

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Like other songs from the 24 Italian Songs and Arias, “Se tu m’ami” has been paraphrased in other works. Here it appears whole cloth in the ballet Pulcinella by, Igor Stravinsky. “Se tu, m’ami” begins about two and a half minutes into this video excerpt from the ballet.

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OTHER RESOURCES:

Here is an excellent diction tape of “Se tu m’ami” available on YouTube:

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KARAOKE KORNER . . .
Due to the quarantine requirements of the COVID-19 period, we are providing services for learning online.

Below are Karaoke-style accompaniments in both high and low keys presented along side full performances. Each listing also includes audio metronome and tonic-pitch sound videos to help you sing more independently when learning online. Sub-sections of the songs are then presented to help you dig down and refine your learning.

These measures will promote more comprehensive and effective learning while studying singing remotely. Good luck and have fun!

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–HIGH KEY–

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(back to the top…)
Metronome marking:

Tonic note pitch:

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ENTIRE ACCOMPANIMENT ONLY (high key):

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FULL PERFORMANCE:

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BOTTOM OF PG. 126, MEASURE 11: “Ho dolor dei tuoi martiri: Ho diletto del tuo amor . . .”

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BOTTOM OF PG. 126, MEASURE 15: “Ma se pensi che soletto Io ti debba riamar . . .”

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TOP OF PG. 127, MEASURE 19: “Pastorello, sei soggetto Facilmente a t’ingannar . . .”

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PG. 127, MEASURE 23: “Pastorello, sei soggetto Facilmente a t’ingannar . . .”

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PG. 127, MEASURE 29: “Bella rosa porporina Oggi Silvia sceglierà . . .”

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BOTTOM OF PG. 127, MEASURE 33: “Con la scusa della spina Doman poi la sprezzerà, Doman poi la sprezzerà . . .”

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PG. 128, MEASURE 39: “Ma degli uomini il consiglio Io per me non seguirò . . .”

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PG. 128, MEASURE 43: “Non perché mi piace il giglio Gli altri fiori sprezzerò . . .”

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PG. 128, MEASURE 47: “Se tu m’ami, se tu sospiri Sol per me, gentil pastor . . .”

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TOP OF PG. 129, MEASURE 57: “Ho dolor dei tuoi martiri: Ho diletto del tuo amor . . .”

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PG. 129, MEASURE 61: “Ma se pensi che soletto Io ti debba riamar . . .”

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PG. 129, MEASURE 65: “Pastorello, sei soggetto Facilmente a t’ingannar . . .”

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–LOW KEY–