Una Vergine, Un Angiol Di Dio

Gaetano Donizetti's song "Una Vergine, Un Angiol Di Dio" is a poignant exploration of divine love, inner conflict, and the overwhelming power of beauty. The lyrics describe a scene where a virgin, likened to an angel of God, prays at the altar alongside the narrator. This setting evokes a sense of sacredness and purity, as the narrator is filled with a mix of hope, fear, and desire. The juxtaposition of these emotions highlights the complexity of human experience when faced with something or someone profoundly beautiful and pure.

The repeated exclamations of "Ah! Mio padre" (Ah! My father) suggest a plea for guidance or understanding. The narrator is deeply moved by the beauty of the virgin, which has disrupted his inner peace. This disruption is not merely a fleeting distraction but a profound disturbance that has taken away his heart's tranquility. The use of the word "involata" (stolen) emphasizes the intensity of this emotional upheaval, suggesting that the beauty of the virgin has irrevocably changed the narrator's inner world.

The final lines of the song reveal the narrator's struggle to focus on divine matters. Despite his attempts to direct his mind towards God, the image of the virgin remains ever-present. The repetition of "Ognor presente" (Always present) underscores the inescapable nature of this vision. It suggests that the narrator is caught in a perpetual state of contemplation, unable to divert his thoughts from the angelic figure. This constant presence of the virgin in his mind symbolizes the enduring impact of beauty and purity on the human soul, and the inner turmoil that can arise from such an encounter.