Una furtiva lagrima, from L’elisir d’amore (string quartet)

Title: Una furtiva lagrima, from L’elisir d’amore

Composer: Gaetano Donizetti, arr. David Gable

Instrumentation: Violin 1; Violin 2; Viola; Cello

Printout: 7 pages

Note: Una furtiva lagrima (a furtive tear) is one of the most moving and and beautiful arias in the operatic repertory. L’elisir d’amore (the elixir of love) was modeled on a French opera by Auber, which did not include a comparable aria. Fortunately for opera lovers, Donizetti insisted that his own librettist, Felice Romani, include Una furtiva lagrima. The opera’s success is no doubt in part owed to this exquisite aria.