Malinconia, Ninfa Gentile

Vincenzo Bellini's song "Malinconia, Ninfa Gentile" is a poignant ode to melancholy, personified as a gentle nymph. The lyrics express a deep, almost sacred devotion to this state of being, suggesting that the singer has dedicated their life to embracing melancholy. The opening lines, "Malinconia, Ninfa gentile / La vita mia consacro a te," translate to "Melancholy, gentle nymph / I consecrate my life to you," setting the tone for a song that reveres the bittersweet beauty of sadness and solitude.

The song contrasts the pleasures of melancholy with what it considers the superficial joys of the world. The line "I tuoi piaceri chi tiene a vile / Ai piacer veri nato non è" translates to "Whoever holds your pleasures in contempt / Is not born to true pleasures." This suggests that true fulfillment and understanding come from embracing melancholy rather than shunning it. The singer seeks solace in nature, asking the gods for "Fonti e colline" (fountains and hills), which symbolize a peaceful retreat where they can live in harmony with their melancholic state.

The repetition of the phrase "Nè mai quel fonte co' desir miei / Nè mai quel monte trapasserò" (Never will I pass beyond that fountain or that mountain with my desires) underscores a commitment to remaining within the bounds of this chosen solitude. The singer vows never to leave this state of melancholy, finding contentment and perhaps even a sense of identity within it. Bellini's composition, with its lyrical beauty and emotional depth, captures the essence of a soul that finds peace in the gentle embrace of melancholy, making it a timeless piece that resonates with anyone who has ever found solace in solitude.