Translation of the song Prologo: Musica artist Claudio Monteverdi

Dal mio Permesso amato a voi ne vegno,

From my beloved Permessus I come to you,

incliti eroi, sangue gentil di regi,

illustrious heroes, noble scions of kings,

di cui narra la fama eccelsi pregi,

whose glorious deeds Fame relates,

né giugne al ver perch'è troppo alto il segno.

though falling short of the truth, since the target is too high.

Io la Musica son, ch'a i dolci accenti

I am Music, who in sweet accents

so far tranquillo ogni turbato core,

can calm each troubled heart,

ed or di nobil ira, ed or d'amore

and now with noble anger, now with love,

posso infiammar le più gelate menti.

can kindle the most frigid minds.

Io su cetera d'or cantando soglio

Singing to a golden lyre, I am wont

mortal orecchio lusingar talora,

sometimes to charm mortal ears;

e in guisa tal de l'armonia sonora

and in this way inspire souls with a longing

de le rote del ciel più l'alme invoglio.

for the sonorous harmony of heaven's lyre.

Quinci a dirvi d'Orfeo desio mi sprona,

Hence desire spurs me to tell you of Orpheus,

d'Orfeo che trasse al suo cantar le fere,

the immortal glory of Pindus and Helicon,

e servo fe' l'inferno a sue preghiere,

Orpheus who drew wild beasts to him by his singing,

gloria immortal di Pindo e d'Elicona.

and who subjugated Hades by his entreaties.

Or mentre i canti alterno, or lieti, or mesti,

Now while I alternate my songs, now happy, now sad,

non si mova augellin fra queste piante,

let no small bird stir among these trees,

né s'oda in queste rive onda sonante,

no noisy wave be heard on these river?banks,

ed ogni auretta in suo camin s'arresti.

and let each little breeze halt in its course.