La seduzione ("Era bella com'angiol del cielo"), song for voice & piano

• Date: 1839
• Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
• Period: Romantic (1820-1869)

Review

This song, whose title translates as "The Seduction, " is set to a poem by Luigi Balestra that tells of an innocent and beautiful young lady who is seduced by a faithless and uncaring man. She ultimately dies in disgrace, buried in an unmarked grave. The music begins in a straightforward triple-metered declamation that seems to emphasize the innocence and naivete of the young lady. At the mentions of her seduction and disgrace the music goes to the minor mode and the declamation becomes passionately intent. The music returns to its initial tone of innocence as the text tells of her unmarked grave. ~ Aaron Rabushka, All Music Guide

Albums with Complete Performances of the Work

Title	Date
Favourite Songs by Donizetti, Verdi, Gluck, Martini, Piccini, Tosti	1992
French & Italian Art Songs	1993
Giuseppe Verdi: Complete Chamber Songs	2000
I Carry Your Heart	1996
Songs
The Art of Belcanto Canzone
Verdi Songs	2004
Verdi: Ave Maria; Il Mistero; Brindisi	2005
Verdi: Complete Chamber Songs	2000
Verdi: Complete Songs	1997
Verdi: Complete Songs	1997
Verdi: Italian Song, Vol.3	1998