How to scan Italian recitative – G. F. HANDEL, Giulio Cesare,

 

Act 1, scene 1

 

Cesare:

Curio, Cesare venne_e vide_e vinse:                                Curio, Caesar came, saw and conquered

già  sconfitto, Pompeo_invan ricorre,                                Already defeated, Pompey appeals in vain

per rinforzar de’ suoi guerrier lo stuolo                              For reinforcements of his army

d’Egitto_al re.                                                                To the King of Egypt.

 

Curio:

                        Tu qui, signor, giungesti                          You have come, Lord,

a tempo_appunto_a prevenir le trame.                              Just in time to thwart his plans.

ma chi ver noi sen viene?                                                But whom do I see coming towards us?

 

Act 2, scene 1

Cleopatra :

Eseguisti_O Niren, quanto t’imposi?                                Nireno, did you carry out what I commanded ?

Nireno :

Adempito_è_il commando.                                              The order has been executed

Cleopatra:

Giunto_è Cesare_in corte ?                                             Has Caesar arrived at the court?

Nireno:

Lo vel condussi_ed ei                                                     I led him here, and he

Già_a queste soglie il piè rivolge.                                     is already directing his steps to your threshhold.

 

[Underlines indicate consecutive vowels that elide

to make a single syllable.  These will be set in

recitative with only one note.]