O sonno (Cipriano de Rore)

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• (Posted 2025-12-29)  CPDL #87930:       

Editor: Allen Garvin (submitted 2025-12-29).   Score information: Letter, 4 pages, 93 kB   Copyright: CC BY NC

Edition notes: Source files may be found on my github, and parts are available on my own site (both linked from my CPDL profile).

• (Posted 2018-01-28)  CPDL #48583:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2018-01-28).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 67 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Reformatting of #28814, with minor adjustments to the underlay.

• (Posted 2013-04-20)  CPDL #28814:        (Finale 2010)

Editor: Hans Niklas Kuhn (submitted 2013-04-20).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 111 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.

• (Posted 2003-02-22)  CPDL #04644: 

Editor: Vincent Carpentier (submitted 2003-02-22).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 216 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Link changed (11/13/03) to Icking archive.

General Information

Title: O sonno
Composer: Cipriano de Rore
Lyricist: Giovanni della Casa

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1557 in Il secondo libro de madrigali a quatro voci, no. 5
    2nd published: 1593 in Nuova spoglia amorosa (Vincenti, Venice), no. 21
Description: 

Original text and translations

Italian text O sonno, o della queta, umida, ombrosa notte placido figlio; o de’ mortali egri conforto, oblio dolce de’ mali si gravi, ond’ è la vita aspra e noiosa; soccorri al cor omai, che langu’ e posa non have, e queste membra stanch’ e frali solleva: a me ten vola, o sonno, e l’ali tue brune sovra me distendi e posa. Ov’è ’l silentio che’l dì fugge e’l lume? E i lievi sogni, che con non secure vestigia di seguirti han per costume? Lasso, ch’invan te chiamo, e queste oscure e gelide ombre invan lusingo. O piume d’asprezza colme! O notti acerb’ e dure!

English translation O sleep, O that quiet child of peaceful, fresh and shadowy night; O afflicted mortals' comfort; sweet oblivion of ills so grave they make life harsh and tedious, give succor to my heart that, now waning and restless, languishes and raise these frail and weary limbs. Envelop me, O sleep, and spread your dark wings over me. Where is the silence which the day flees and the light and gentle dreams which leave no certain trace? Alas in vain I call you, and these gloomy and cold shadows in vain I entice: O plumes with harshness filled, O hard and painful nights