Händel: Ombra mai fu; Caruso 1920

Recorced 21. Jan. 1920 - less than a year before his last performance at the MET and subsequent death. I have uploaded this before, but it was played too fast.

"Ombra mai fu" is the opening aria from the 1738 opera Serse or Xerxes by G.F. Händel. Originally composed to be sung by a soprano castrato ..... !

LYRICS
Frondi tenere e belle
del mio platano amato
per voi risplenda il fato.
Tuoni, lampi, e procelle
non v'oltraggino mai la cara pace,
nè giunga a profanarvi austro rapace.

Ombra mai fu
di vegetabile,
cara ed amabile,
soave più.

ENGLISH
Tender and beautiful fronds
of my beloved plane tree,
let Fate smile upon you.
May thunder, lightning, and storms
never bother your dear peace,
nor may you by blowing winds be profaned.

A shade there never was,
of any plant,
dearer and more lovely,
or more sweet.

Видео Händel: Ombra mai fu; Caruso 1920 канала Tom Frøkjær