Se Tu M'ami

The song 'Se Tu M'ami,' performed by the renowned mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, is a classic Italian aria often attributed to Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, although its true authorship is uncertain. The lyrics are a delicate blend of affection and warning, expressing the sentiments of someone who is both flattered by and skeptical of a suitor's declarations of love.

The opening lines, 'Se tu m'ami, se tu sospiri / Sol per me, gentil pastor,' translate to 'If you love me, if you sigh / Only for me, gentle shepherd.' This sets the stage for a pastoral dialogue, a common theme in Baroque opera, where the simplicity of rural life is often idealized. The singer acknowledges the shepherd's love and suffering but cautions him against assuming that his love will be reciprocated just because he desires it. The metaphor of the 'bella rosa porporina' (beautiful purple rose) that is chosen one day and discarded the next with the excuse of its thorns is a warning against the fickle nature of love and possibly a critique of the behavior of men towards love.

Cecilia Bartoli's interpretation of this song brings out the nuanced emotions of the character, who is both touched by love and wary of its potential for deception. The aria serves as a reminder that love should not be taken for granted and that one should be cautious of giving their heart too easily, lest they be 'facilmente a t'ingannar' (easily deceived).