Svegliatevi nel core


"Svegliatevi nel core" is an aria taken from act 1, scene 4 of the Italian language opera seria, Giulio Cesare, by George Frideric Handel. The aria is written for the role of Sesto, a soprano in trouser role, including during the premiere, who sings it to assure his mother that he will avenge the death of his father, Pompey, who was assassinated by the Egyptians, instructed by Tolomeo to demonstrate the Egyptians' loyalty to Julius Caesar. The words were written by Nicola Francesco Haym.
Today, the role is also often sung by countertenor.

Libretto

Recitative
Vani sono i lamenti
è tempo, o Sesto, ormai
di vendicar il padre
si svegli alla vendetta
l'anima neghittosa
che offesa da un tiranno invan riposa.
Aria
Svegliatevi nel core
furie d'un alma offesa
a far d'un traditor
aspra vendetta!
L'ombra del genitore
accorre a mia difesa
e dice: a te il rigor
Figlio si aspetta.

Awaken in my heart
The wrath of an offended soul
So I may wreak upon a traitor
My bitter vengeance!
The ghost of my father
Hastens to my defense
Saying: From you, my son
Ferocity is expected.