Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
Voi avete un cor fedele, K. 217

Aria for soprano with 2 oboes, 2 horns in G, and strings


Program Notes by Martin Pearlman


This aria, dated October 26, 1775, was written by Mozart to be inserted in Le nozze di Dorinda, an opera buffa by Baldassare Galuppi. The opera was brought to Salzburg by an Italian traveling company, which, needing to provide a new aria for its prima donna, commissioned it from a local composer, Mozart. Written for the title character Dorinda, it is a beautiful aria that is at the same time comical and contemptuous. The libretto for the opera was by the great dramatist Carlo Goldoni, but it is unknown who adapted this aria text for Mozart.

You have a faithful heart,
like any impassioned lover;
but once my troth is plighted,
tell me, what will you do?
Will you change?
Will you remain faithful?
Ah, I cannot believe it!
It is already foretold,
you will make a fool of me.
Not yet, not for now will I trust in you.


Boston Baroque Performances


Voi avete un cor fedele, K. 217

October 11, 1991
NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor

Soloist:
Sharon Baker, soprano

February 9, 1988
St. Anselm College, Manchester, NH
Martin Pearlman, conductor

Soloist:
Sharon Baker, soprano