Born in Salzburg, then in the Holy Roman Empire and currently in Austria, Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty. His father took him on a grand tour of Europe and then three trips to Italy. At 17, he was a musician at the Salzburg court but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position.
While visiting Vienna in 1781, Mozart was dismissed from his Salzburg position. He stayed in Vienna, where he achieved fame but little financial security. During his final years there, he composed many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas. His Requiem was largely unfinished by the time of his death at the age of 35, the circumstances of which are uncertain and much mythologized.
Batti Batti O Bel Masetto
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La tua povera Zerlina;
Starò qui com′agnellina
Le tue botte ad aspettar.
Batti, batti, ecc.
Lascierò straziarmi il crine,
Lascierò cavarmi gli occhi,
E le care tue manine
Batti, batti, ecc.
Ah, lo vedo, non hai core!
Pace, pace, o vita mia,
In contenti ed allegria
Notte e dì vogliam passar,
Sì, notte e dì vogliam passar, ecc.
Pace, pace, o vita mia, ecc.
"Batti Batti O Bel Masetto" is a beautiful aria from Mozart's famous opera, Don Giovanni. The song is sung by Zerlina, a peasant girl who is engaged to be married to Masetto. In the song, Zerlina begs Masetto to beat her rather than leave her alone. She tells him that she will wait for him like a little lamb and endure whatever punishment he deems necessary. She would even let him tear her hair and gouge out her eyes as long as she can later kiss his hands happily. However, she senses that Masetto is resistant and threatens him by saying that he does not have a heart. Finally, she pleads with him to live with her happily and contentedly day and night.
The song is a perfect example of Mozart's exceptional musical abilities, as he is able to convey a complex range of emotions through Zerlina's voice. The aria's melody is stunningly beautiful, its arrangement is heartwarming, and its lyrics are both passionate and dramatic. Mozart's music in this song showcases his incredible ability to capture the essence of the human experience through his music. Zerlina's plea for Masetto's continued love is an intense emotional expression that draws us into her character and makes us empathize with her situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Batti, batti, o bel Masetto,
Beat, beat, oh handsome Masetto,
La tua povera Zerlina;
Your poor Zerlina;
Starò qui com′agnellina
I'll stay here like a little lamb
Le tue botte ad aspettar.
Waiting for your blows.
Batti, batti, ecc.
Beat, beat, etc.
Lascierò straziarmi il crine,
I will let you tear out my hair,
Lascierò cavarmi gli occhi,
I will let you gouge out my eyes,
E le care tue manine
And then your dear little hands
Lieta poi saprò baciar.
I will gladly kiss them.
Batti, batti, ecc.
Beat, beat, etc.
Ah, lo vedo, non hai core!
Ah, I see, you have no heart!
Pace, pace, o vita mia,
Peace, peace, oh my life,
In contenti ed allegria
In happiness and joy
Notte e dì vogliam passar,
Let us spend night and day
Sì, notte e dì vogliam passar, ecc.
Yes, let us spend night and day, etc.
Pace, pace, o vita mia, ecc.
Peace, peace, oh my life, etc.
Contributed by Ethan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gamer-ff6mh
Batti, batti, o bel Masetto,
La tua povera Zerlina;
Starò qui come agnellina
Le tue botte ad aspettar.
Lascierò straziarmi il crine,
Lascierò cavarmi gli occhi,
E le care tue manine
Lieta poi saprò baciar.
Ah, lo vedo, non hai core!
Pace, pace, o vita mia,
In contento ed allegria
Notte e dì vogliam passar,
Sì, notte e dì vogliam passar.
@fabrizietto1980
+drivvvve Beat me, dear Masetto,
beat your poor Zerlina.
I'll stand here like a little lamb
and bear the blows you lay on me.
You can tear my hair out,
scratch my eyes out,
yet your dear hands
gladly I'll kiss.
Ah! I see, you have no heart:
let's make peace, dearest love!
In happiness and joy
let's spend our days and nights
this could be a translation :) sorry, my english is not so good
@malcolmabram2957
I have listened to much opera. I have listened to many sopranos. Just an opinion, but Lucia Popp is the greatest of them all. Always in control. Always sensitive to the mood of the notes. Always breathing emphasis and life into the words. And her voice is so sweet, yet commanding, with a fourth dimension of emotion.
@theviolinvoice4173
I agree! She never loses beauty and expression in her singing, so it feels intimate and more sincere than many opera singers.
@fuegokoori
This is the most heavenly version that I've found. Incredible subtlety and nuance!
@johntuffin3262
You are right.
@Operamoms
I agree! As a voice major I heard it many times in college, but it never stood out to me as beautiful until I heard Lucia sing it.
@stacyperrone-petta3326
I agree 200% beyond heavenly. It moves my soul. Love every note!
@howardchasnoff208
Thanks so much for this. one of the best Mozart arias by the best Mozart Soprano ever. Por siempre Lucia Poppova.
@maidenmarian1
How mellifluous her tone is!!! Thank you Lucia!!!!
@erenelagge7867
She sings like an angel....even the most difficult seems so easy to her...like the wind!!! Amazing!
@stephaniehershaw
amazing, wonderful song and INCREDIBLE VOICE!