G. F. Handel's Baroque opera Xerxes features this piece, also known as "Ombra mai fu," as the opening aria. I can play this as a harp solo, to accompany a singer, or in a larger ensemble with other instrumentalists. It is a beautiful classical piece that can work as a wedding processional, prelude, or interlude, or as background music for other events.
This piece can be played on pedal harp or lever harp.
Italian Lyrics
Frondi tenere e belle
del mio platano amato
per voi risplenda il fato.
Tuoni, lampi, e procelle
non v'oltraggino mai la cara pace,
né giunga a profanarvi austro rapace.
Ombra mai fu
di vegetabile,
cara ed amabile,
soave più.
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