The song "Silent Worship" is a 1928 English-language adaptation for voice and piano by Arthur Somervell of Alessandro's aria "Non lo dirò col labbro" from Handel's 1728 opera Tolomeo (Ptolemy). It is the ninth song in Somervell's collection Ten Songs of Handel (8) and Giovanni Bononcini (2). Other arrangements of Somervell's translation include voice accompanied by a symphony orchestra, and unison choir.

Handel / Somervell comparison

Musically Arthur Somervell's song is a simple arrangement of the original Handel aria – with the orchestral parts reduced for piano, one or two slight changes in harmony, and the instrumental ending (postlude) omitted. The text is treated quite differently in the two versions:

Popular culture

"Silent Worship" is featured in the 1996 film adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Emma, where it is sung by Gwyneth Paltrow (as Emma) and Ewan McGregor (as Frank Churchill). Somervell's English adaptation was done more than a century after Austen's 1815 novel, but the original Italian aria was recorded in Jane Austen's own handwritten songbooks. In the film, Somervell's piano introduction to the song is shortened.

"Silent Worship"

Did you not hear my lady Go down the garden singing? Blackbird and thrush were silent To hear the alleys ringing. Oh saw you not my lady Out in the garden there? Shaming the rose and lily For she is twice as fair. Though I am nothing to her Though she must rarely look at me And though I could never woo her I love her till I die. Surely you heard my lady Go down the garden singing? Silencing all the songbirds And setting the alleys ringing. But surely you see my lady Out in the garden there, Rivaling the glittering sunshine With a glory of golden hair.

"Non lo dirò col labbro"

Allessandro's cavatina in act 1 of Tolomeo: <poem lang="it" style="float:left;">Non lo dirò col labbro Che tanto ardir non hà. Forse con le faville Dell'avide pupille, Per dir come tutt'ardo, Lo sguardo parlerà. <poem style="margin-left:2em; float:left;">I will not say it with my lips Which have not that courage. Perhaps the sparks Of my burning eyes, Revealing my passion, My glance will speak.

Score comparison