Not much is known about his early life, but he was from an aristocratic family, educated at Bologna, and was already making a name for himself as a composer at the age of 20, being commissioned by Queen Christina of Sweden. In 1667 he moved to Rome where he composed copiously, mostly sacred music, and began to live a dissolute life. With a friend he attempted to embezzle money from the Roman Catholic Church, but was found out: he fled the city, only returning much later when he thought it was safe. Unfortunately his numerous incautious affairs with women began to make him enemies among the powerful men of the city, and he had to leave Rome for good.
In 1677 he went to Venice, where he was hired by a powerful nobleman as the music tutor to his mistress. As might be expected, Stradella was shortly involved with her, and had to flee when their liaison was found out; but this time the nobleman hired a gang of thugs to follow him and kill him, which they narrowly failed to do. Stradella went next to Genoa, where he wrote operas and cantatas; unfortunately he was again involved in an affair with a poorly-chosen woman, and this time a hired killer caught up with him at the Piazza Banchi and stabbed him to death.
Stradella was an extremely influential composer at the time, though his fame was eclipsed in the next century by Corelli, Vivaldi and others. Probably his greatest significance is in originating the concerto grosso: while Corelli in his Op. 6 was the first to publish works under this title, Stradella clearly uses the format earlier in one of his Sonate di viole. Since the two knew each other, a direct influence is likely.
Stradella wrote at least six operas, as well as numerous cantatas and oratorios. He also wrote 27 separate instrumental pieces, most for strings and basso continuo, and typically in the sonata da chiesa format.
His colorful life and bloody death clearly made a good story for an opera of its own. Three separate composers made operas out of his life, the most famous being Friedrich von Flotow with his Alessandro Stradella (Hamburg, 1844).
Pietà Signore
Alessandro Stradella Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pietà, Signore, di me dolente!
Signor, pietà, se a te giunge il mio pregar;
Non mi puniscail tuo rigor, meno severi,
Clementi ognora, volgi i tuoi sguardisopra di me.
Non fia mai che nell'inferno sia dannato,
Nel fuoco eterno dal tuo rigor.
Gran Dio, giammai sia dannato
Nel fuoco eterno dal tuo rigor,
Pietà, Signore,
Signor, pietà di me dolente,
Se a te giunge il mio pregare,
Meno severi, clementi ognora,
Volgi i tuoi sguardi, deh! volgi squardi su me, Signor,
Pietà, Signore, di me dolente.
English Translation
Have mercy, Lord, on me in my suffering!
Lord, have mercy, if my prayer reaches you;
May your severity not punish me,
clways forgiving eyes direct upon me.
Do not allow me in hell,
To be damned in eternal flames by your severity.
clmighty God, never allow me to be damned
In the eternal flames by your severity,
Have mercy, Lord,
Lord, have mercy on me in my suffering,
If my prayer reaches to you,
Less harshly, always forgiving,
Eyes upon me, ah! direct your eyes on me, Lord,
Have mercy, Lord, on me in my suffering.
The lyrics of Pietà, Signore by Alessandro Stradella express a plea for mercy and forgiveness from the Lord. The singer is pleading for compassion in their time of suffering, asking the Lord to have pity on them and to not punish them too severely. They implore the Lord to constantly show mercy and kindness towards them, directing His forgiving gaze upon them.
The song continues with a fervent plea to not be condemned to hell and eternal damnation. The singer acknowledges the severity and rigor of the Lord's judgment but begs for His mercy to spare them from the eternal flames of hell. They express a deep longing for God's mercy and emphasize their unwavering faith in His power and compassion.
The song overall conveys a sense of humility, desperation, and faith. It speaks to the universal human experience of seeking mercy, forgiveness, and salvation in times of despair. The lyrics demonstrate a deep understanding of the consequences of one's actions and the need for divine intervention and mercy.
Line by Line Meaning
Pietà, Signore, di me dolente!
Have mercy, Lord, on me in my suffering!
Signor, pietà, se a te giunge il mio pregar;
Lord, have mercy, if my prayer reaches you;
Non mi punisci il tuo rigor, meno severi,
May your severity not punish me, less harshly,
Clementi ognora, volgi i tuoi sguardi sopra di me.
always forgiving, direct your eyes upon me.
Non fia mai che nell'inferno sia dannato,
Do not allow me in hell,
Nel fuoco eterno dal tuo rigor.
To be damned in eternal flames by your severity.
Gran Dio, giammai sia dannato
Almighty God, never allow me to be damned
Nel fuoco eterno dal tuo rigor,
In the eternal flames by your severity,
Pietà, Signore,
Have mercy, Lord,
Signor, pietà di me dolente,
Lord, have mercy on me in my suffering,
Se a te giunge il mio pregare,
If my prayer reaches to you,
Meno severi, clementi ognora,
Less harshly, always forgiving,
Volgi i tuoi sguardi, deh! volgi squardi su me, Signor,
Eyes upon me, ah! direct your eyes on me, Lord,
Pietà, Signore, di me dolente.
Have mercy, Lord, on me in my suffering.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lauren
"Pietà, Signore"
Pietà, Signore,
di me dolente!
Signor, pietà
se a te giunge il mio pregar;
non mi punisca
il tuo rigor.
Meno severi,
clementi ognora,
volgi i tuoi sguardi
sopra di me, sopra di me.
Non sia mai
che nell'inferno sia dannato
nel fuoco eterno
dal tuo rigor.
Gran Dio, giammai
sia dannato
nel fuoco eterno
dal tuo rigor.
Pietà, Signore,
Signor, pietà
di me dolente!
Se a te giunge il mio pregar;
volgi i tuoi sguardi
su me Signor.
Pietà, Signore,
di me dolente!
Signor, pietà
se a te giunge il mio pregar;
non mi punisca
il tuo rigor.
Meno severi,
clementi ognora,
volgi i tuoi sguardi
sopra di me, sopra di me.
Non sia mai
che nell'inferno sia dannato
nel fuoco eterno
dal tuo rigor.
Gran Dio, giammai
sia dannato
nel fuoco eterno
dal tuo rigor, dal tuo rigor.
Lauren
"Pietà, Signore"
Pietà, Signore,
di me dolente!
Signor, pietà
se a te giunge il mio pregar;
non mi punisca
il tuo rigor.
Meno severi,
clementi ognora,
volgi i tuoi sguardi
sopra di me, sopra di me.
Non sia mai
che nell'inferno sia dannato
nel fuoco eterno
dal tuo rigor.
Gran Dio, giammai
sia dannato
nel fuoco eterno
dal tuo rigor.
Pietà, Signore,
Signor, pietà
di me dolente!
Se a te giunge il mio pregar;
volgi i tuoi sguardi
su me Signor.
Pietà, Signore,
di me dolente!
Signor, pietà
se a te giunge il mio pregar;
non mi punisca
il tuo rigor.
Meno severi,
clementi ognora,
volgi i tuoi sguardi
sopra di me, sopra di me.
Non sia mai
che nell'inferno sia dannato
nel fuoco eterno
dal tuo rigor.
Gran Dio, giammai
sia dannato
nel fuoco eterno
dal tuo rigor, dal tuo rigor.
Nina
Very pretty! I’m doing this song too for college auditions, so I’m gonna tell you what my teacher told me. This song is really in the story- so you have to sell it. Phrasing, dynamics, and emotion really make this song (I mean, you’re telling God to have mercy on your soul and not to send you to hell!). It’s like you’re begging him out of desperation!! That’s the stuff I’m good at, but breath control is where I’m struggling actually (a stuffy nose and some jitters ;-;) so your video is really helpful to me!
Bruh :/
always sell it!!!! when you perform you're acting
Genie Polower
This is one of my favorite arias. I sing it myself, but I don't have her angelic voice... great job!
Cris
WOOOOOW her voice is beautiful
Olivia Inberg
So gorgeous! Your rendition of this song was an inspiration to me in my college audition about a month ago.
Марина Ахмедова
Очень нежный тембр голоса! Как-будто ангел поёт! И слова этой арии, хоть и жестоки, требующие наказать Господа бога неверного за нанесенную обиду, всё-таки полны любви! Спасибо за чувственное исполнение. Очень трогательно и нежно!!!
laura
holy crap, one of the most beautiful voices I have heard! angelic, effortless, bright, and beautiful!
jj
I’m doing this for my High School. Such a beautiful
sound
Chris Bates
Beautifully done