Giovanni Pergolesi - Se Tu M’ami Se Sospiri

Se Tu M’amu Se Sospiri is a cheeky and amusing piece, which depicts the story of a young shepherdess teasing a young shepherd boy. She explains to him in this song, that she rejoices in his longing sighs and his unrequited pain. Just because she loves the Lillies, does not mean she doesn’t love the other flowers. Just because she will choose him today, does not mean she will choose him tomorrow.

I had the privilege to sing this piece in my university’s workshop class in October of 2022, accompanied by the amazing Jennifer Enkelmeir.

Below is the English translation of the Italian text, and a video of the performance.

If you love me, if you sigh
Only for me, dear shepherd,
I am sorrowful for your sufferings;
yet I delight in your love.
But if you think that
I must in return love only you,
Little shepherd, you are subject
To deceiving yourself easily.

The beautiful purple rose
Will Silvia choose today;
With the excuse of its thorns,
Tomorrow, then, will she despise it.
But the advice of the men
I will not follow -
Just because the lily pleases me,
I do not have to despise the other flowers.