Known as one of the initial pioneers of the opera, Claudio Moteverdi set the stage for what many refer to as “the first great Italian opera” within L’ Orfeo. This recitative/aria is from Monteverdi's opera, L' Orfeo, written in 1607. In this work, the great poet and singer Orpheus laments the loss of his true love, Euridice, which generally produced what could be described as something of sorrow mixed with love to create longing, as the character Orpheus is mourning his loved one’s passing and wishing to be with her.