page_title: Ombra mai fu
section_title: Libretto
hierarchical_section_title: Ombra mai fu / Libretto
caption_attribution_description: English: A plane tree (Platanus orientalis) planted in 1680 in the Botanical Garden of Padua; its trunk was struck by a lightning and is now hollow. Italiano: Esemplare di Platanus orientalis piantato nel 1680 nell'Orto botanico di Padova; il suo tronco è stato in passato colpito da un fulmine ed è oggi cavo.
context_page_description: "Ombra mai fu", also known as "Largo from Xerxes", is the opening aria from the 1738 opera Serse by George Frideric Handel.
context_section_description: The title translates from the Italian as "Never was a shade". It is sung by the main character, Xerxes I of Persia, admiring the shade of a plane tree.
  Frondi tenere e belle
  
  del mio platano amato
  
  per voi risplenda il fato.
  
  Tuoni, lampi, e procelle
  
  non v'oltraggino mai la cara pace,
  
  né giunga a profanarvi austro rapace.
  
  Ombra mai fu
  
  di vegetabile,
  
  cara ed amabile,
  
  soave più.
  Tender and beautiful fronds
  
  of my beloved plane tree,
  
  let Fate smile upon you.
  
  May thunder, lightning, and storms
  
  never disturb your dear peace,
  
  nor may you by blowing winds be profaned.
  
  Never was a shade
  
  of any plant
  
  dearer and more lovely,
  
  or more sweet.
caption: Plane tree (planted in 1680)
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