Vaga Luna is from group 2. Our critical edition includes notation to help performers and students master the stylistic elements of Italian romantic music and the Italian language including: rubato markings, IPA, portamento, accidentals and dynamic markings that aid in pronunciation and phrasal and word stress.

Group 1 pieces are meant to instill the fundamental practices of the Bel Canto technique. In order to meet this criteria, the music must include the following:

Slow Tempi, Legato Passages, Limited Range, Short Phrases, Stepwise Motion, and No Ornamentation

1. Manca sollecita (Vaccai #1)

2. Semplicetta Tortorella (Vaccai #2)

3. Sento nel core (Donaudy)

4. L’ora è tarda (Tosti)

5. Sorge il sol! Che fai tu? (Donaudy)

6. Quando ti rivedrò (Donaudy)

7. Dolente immagine di Fille mia (Bellini)

8. Malinconia, Ninfa gentile (Bellini)

Group 2 pieces continue fundamental practice development and build on them including:

Slow-Medium Tempi, Legato Passages, Expanded Range, Longer Phrases, Larger Intervals, Limited Ornamentation

1. E Filli m’ha detto… (Donaudy) 

2. Il giglio e la rosa (Donizetti)

3. ‘A Vucchella (Tosti)

4. Malìa (Tosti) 

5. L’ultimo bacio (Tosti)

6. In van preghi (Tosti)

7. Date abbiento al mio dolore (Donaudy)

8. Perduta ho la speranza (Donaudy)

9. Me voglio fa’ ‘na casa (Donizetti) 

10. Amore e morte - (Donizetti)

11. Sull’onda cheta e bruna (Donizetti)

12. Luoghi sereni e cari (Donaudy)

13. Vaga luna che inargenti (Bellini)

14. La conocchia (Donizetti)

15. Per pietà bell’idol mio (Bellini)

16. Bella Nice, che d’amore (Bellini)

This is a group 2 piece. The student should be able to sing the pieces from group 1 with strength and ease before attempting songs from group 2. For further information about this grouping, please see our article published in the Journal of Singing, “Rethinking the Italian 24 Songs and Arias,” May 2025.