Giovanni Bertati is often given as the author of the opera's libretto, others credit Giuseppe Petrosellini;[4] however, neither is confirmed.

[1] The aria is inserted at the end of act 1, scene 6, where Marchese Calandro wants to test his bride's Clorinda's fidelity – six and a half years later, in 1790, this was a central theme in Mozart's opera Così fan tutte.

At his second attempt, Clorinda begins to waver and makes a veiled confession of her love to the Count.

Qual è l'affanno mio; ma mi condanna il fato a piangere e tacer.

Arder non può il mio core per chi vorrebbe amore e fa che cruda io sembri, un barbaro dover.

Partite, correte, D'amor non parlate, è vostro il suo cor.

Ah, Count, part from me, Run, flee Far away from me; Your beloved Emilia awaits you, Don't let her languish, She is worthy of love.