from the Italian opera
Arianna by Claudio Monteverdi
Libretto: Rinuccini
Role: Arianna, lover of Theseus
Voice Part: mezzo-soprano Fach: lyric mezzo
Setting: The island where Theseus left Arianna behind of his voyage from Crete back home, Ancient Greece
Synopsis: As Arianna is left behind, she feels alone, frightened and homesick. She calls out to Theseus to come back and retreive her and not to leave her there. If he does not return, then she wants to die. This aria is the only portion of this opera that exists. It is considered by many to be the first aria ever composed.