Che si può fare” is a poignant aria from Barbara Strozzi’s Ariette a voce sola, Op. 8 (1664), composed for soprano voice and basso continuo. This Baroque piece exemplifies the stile recitativo with expressive, flowing melodies that alternate between lamenting declamation and lyrical outbursts, supported by a simple yet emotive harmonic foundation of harpsichord or lute and bass instrument. Clocking in at around 3-4 minutes, it features chromatic inflections and rhetorical pauses to heighten emotional intensity, capturing resignation amid turmoil. In the recording by Céline Scheen with Ensemble Artaserse (from their 2018 album Strozzi: Virtuosissima Compositrice), Scheen’s clear, agile soprano brings out the piece’s intimate vulnerability, while the ensemble’s period instruments add a warm, authentic texture—subtle ornamentation and dynamic swells emphasize the text’s pathos.

bTie to Love and Valentine’s Day: This aria ties beautifully into Valentine’s Day by exploring love’s darker, more introspective side—the “sweet torment” of unrequited affection or fate-thwarted romance, rather than uncomplicated bliss. Strozzi, a trailblazing female composer in 17th-century Venice, often drew from themes of amorous suffering, influenced by the era’s courtly poetry. Here, the speaker grapples with love’s cruelty under indifferent stars, evoking the vulnerability and resilience in matters of the heart. For modern Valentine’s, it serves as a reminder that true love encompasses pain and longing, making it a sophisticated counterpoint to commercial sentimentality—perfect for a reflective playlist or blog post on the complexities of relationships.

Original Italian:

Che si può fare?
Le stelle ribelle non hanno pietà;
Se ‘l cielo non dà un influsso
Di pace al mio penare,
Che si può fare? Che si può dire?
I cieli m’han piovuto ogni sventura;
Se Amor non mi concede un istante
Di respiro, per alleviar tutto il mio soffrire,
Che si può dire?

English Translation:

What can one do?
The rebel stars have no pity;
If heaven grants no influence
Of peace to my suffering,
What can one do? What can one say?
The heavens have rained every misfortune on me;
If Love will not allow me a moment
Of breath, to ease all my torment,
What can one say?