Svegliatevi nel core

"Svegliatevi nel core" is an aria taken from Act I, Scene IV of the Italian language opera seria, Giulio Cesare, by German-born British Baroque composer, Georg Friedrich Händel. The aria is written for the role of “Sesto”, a mezzo soprano in trouser role, including during the premiere, who sings it to assure his mother that he will avenge the death of his father, Pompey, who was assassinated by the Egyptians, instructed by Tolomeo (Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator) to demonstrate the Egyptians' loyalty to Julius Caesar. The words were written by Nicola Francesco Haym.

The scene takes place at the bridge over the Nile entering Alexandria, Egypt in 48 BC.

Libretto

Recitative (Italian)

Vani sono i lamenti
è tempo, o Sesto, ormai
di vendicar il padre
si svegli alla vendetta
l'anima neghittosa
che offesa da un tiranno invan riposa

Italian	Translation in English
Svegliatevi nel core furie d'un alma offesa a far d'un traditor aspra vendetta! L'ombra del genitore accorre a mia difesa e dice: a te il rigor Figlio si aspetta.	Awaken in my heart The wrath of an offended soul So I may wreak upon a traitor My bitter vengeance! The ghost of my father Hastens to my defense Saying, “From you, my son Ferocity is expected”

References

• The Aria Database

External links

• Giulio Cesare in Egitto: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project