Se pietà di me non senti (Handel) Anna Prohaska

Se pietà di me non senti from Giulio Cesare in Egitto (HWV 17) by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)   Anna Prohaska Il Giardino Armonico under Giovanni Antonini   Premiere:  King’s Theatre, London, 1724 The role of Cleopatra was created by Francesca Cuzzoni (1696-1778).   Libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym (1678-1729) Cleopatra, having fallen in love with Cesare, begs the gods to bless him.   CLEOPATRA Se pietà di me non senti, Giusto ciel, io morirò. Tu da pace a’ miei tormenti, O quest’alma spirerò. CLEOPATRA If you feel no pity for me, Righteous Heaven, I will perish. Appease my torments, Or this soul will breathe its last. [English translation by Charles Johnston]   From the CD Serpent & Fire - Arias for Dido and Cleopatra available from Alpha Classics: https://www.amazon.com/Serpent-Fire-A...   Photography: NYC Dance Project by Ken Browar and Deborah Ory http://www.nycdanceproject.com/