[1] Sung by the character Andromeda, this extensive concert aria takes around twelve to fourteen minutes to perform.
The final cavatina "Deh, non varcar" features a lyrical accompaniment with the oboe, as Andromeda pleads for Perseus to wait for her in the afterlife.
She is obliged to marry Eurystheus,[clarification needed] heir to the kingdom of Argos, but is in love with Perseus.
In this aria Andromeda berates Eurystheus with an emotional fury at the apparent suicide of Perseus.
[1] The passionate writing hints at later roles for operatic sopranos, such as Elektra in Idomeneo, The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni.
[3] Composed in Salzburg in August 1777, the aria was written for Josepha Duschek, for whom Mozart later wrote "Bella mia fiamma, addio", K528 in Prague.
to his beloved Aloysia Weber, writing "I advise you to observe the expression marks—to think carefully of the meaning and the impact of the words—to put yourself in all seriousness into Andromeda's situation and position!—and to imagine that you really are that very person."
The text is by Vittorio Amedeo Cigna-Santi [it], taken from the 1772 opera Andromeda, probably composed by Giovanni Paisiello.
Povero Prence, con quel ferro istesso che me salvò, ti lacerasti il petto.
Invan m'adiro, e nel suo sangue intanto nuota già l'idol mio.
Col sangue, ahi, la bell'alma, ecco, già uscì dallo squarciato seno.
With painful blood This beautiful soul is taken Unhappy me The day is darkening before me With a failing heart of torment