Sebben, crudele

"Sebben, crudele" (Although, cruel love) is an aria from Antonio Caldara's 1710 opera "La constanza in amor vince l'inganno" (Faithfulness in love conquers treachery). Although the opera itself has been rarely performed in modern times, "Sebben, crudele" remains a popular concert aria. It has been recorded by Cecilia Bartoli, Beniamino Gigli and Janet Baker, amongst others.

Libretto

Sebben, crudele
mi fai languir,
Sempre fedele
ti voglio amar.
Con la lunghezza
del mio servir
la tua fierezza
sapro stancar

Although, cruel love,
you make me languish,
I will always
love you true.
With the patience
of my serving
I will be able to tire out
your pride.

Bibliography

*"Anthology of Italian Song of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries" - Selected and edited with biographical notes by Alessandro Parisotti, G. Schirmer, 1926