Air de Polixene: "C'en est fait"

Achille et Polixene ends with this profoundly moving continuo aria. Torn throughout the action of the opera between her growing feelings for Achille and her loyalty to her conquered people, Polixene only realizes with Achille's death how deeply her emotions have been engaged. She kills herself rather than live without him.

C'en est fait, le succéz répond à mon attente, So it is done, the outcome meets my expectations,
Je n'ai plus guere à souffrir, I can no longer bear to suffer
Je sens que je vais mourir, I feel that I am going to die
Et c'est assez pour me rendre contente. And that is enough to make me content.
Reçoi mon sang aprés mes pleurs, Achille, Receive my blood after my tears, Achille,
C'est à toi que je me sacrifie; It is for you that I sacrifice myself.
... Sans toi je déteste la vie ... Without you I hate life.
... Oui, je le jure... helas... je frissonne... je meurs. ... Yes, I swear it ... Alas ... I tremble ... I die.

Click for RealAudio recording of "C'en est fait" performed by members of the UNT Collegium Musicum (see Credits).

 

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