Yet another take on Handel's "Va tacito e nascosto" (Italian. English translation: "Silently and stealthily/furtively"). It is a famous aria written for alto castrato voice in Act 1 of George Frideric Handel's opera "Giulio Cesare in Egitto" (Julius Caesar in Egypt - HWV 17), composed in 1724 to a libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym.
Here, a diplomatic stand-off is depicted; a peeing contest, as it were - its outcome made entirely unambiguous by the overwhelming military supremacy of the "upstart" Romans, led by Julius Caesar.
Here is a clip featuring the ever fabulous mezzo soprano, Dame Sara Connolly as Caesar, alongside an extensive solo natural horn obbligato - the predecessor to the modern-day (French) horn.
I hope you enjoy it too.
Libretto
Va tacito e nascosto,
quand'avido è di preda,
l'astuto cacciator.
E chi è mal far disposto,
non brama che si veda
l'inganno del suo cor.
(Translation: The wise hunter seeking prey goes silently and stealthily. And he who intends evil will not wish to show the deceit in his heart.)
Performance
Director: David McVicar
Conductor: William Christie, Orchestra of the Age of the Enlightenment.
Cast: Sarah Connolly, Angelika Kirchschlager, Danielle de Niese, Patricia Bardon. The Glyndebourne Chorus.
