[ Antonio Vivaldi :sacred motet ] Nulla In Mundo Pax Sincera

The great British soprano Dame Emma Kirkby singing Nulla In Mundo Pax Sincera (RV 630), a sacred motet composed by Antonio Vivaldi to an anonymous Latin text. The programme of BBC Prom 39 at the Royal Albert Hall included works by Vivaldi, Handel and Bach, Nulla In Mundo being the only solo piece sung by Kirkby. The concert took place on Monday 17 August 1998 with the Academy of Ancient Music conduced by Christopher Hogwood.

"Nulla in Mundo Pax Sincera", Motet RV 630
by Antonio Vivaldi
1. Aria: Nulla i mundo pax sincera
2. Recitativo: Blado colore oculos
3. Aria: Spirat anguis
4. Alleluja
Magda Kalmár, soprano
Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra
Frigyes Sandor, conductor




Nulla in mundo pax sincera (RV 630) is a sacred motet composed by Antonio Vivaldi to an anonymous Latin text, the title of which may be translated as "In this world there is no honest peace". Written in the key of E major and in the typical lyrical Italian Baroque style, it is scored for solo soprano, two violins, viola and basso continuo, this would normally be a cello and keyboard instrument, in Vivaldi's case often the organ. The text dwells on the imperfections of a world full of evil and sin, and praises Jesus for the salvation he offers from it.

The motet consists of three parts (Aria; Recitative; Aria), followed by a concluding Alleluia. A full performance of the piece takes approximately 13 minutes.

The first aria of the piece was featured in the closing credits of the 1996 film Shine. Aria.

Nulla in mundo pax sincera
sine felle; pura et vera,
dulcis Jesu, est in te.

Inter poenas et tormenta
vivit anima contenta
casti amoris sola spe. Recitative.

Blando colore oculos mundus decepit
at occulto vulnere corda conficit;
fugiamus ridentem, vitemus sequentem,
nam delicias ostentando arte secura
vellet ludendo superare. Aria.

Spirat anguis
inter flores et colores
explicando tegit fel.
Sed occulto factus ore
homo demens in amore
saepe lambit quasi mel. Alleluia. Aria.

In this world there is no honest peace
free from bitterness; pure and true
peace, sweet Jesus, lies in Thee.

Amidst punishment and torment
lives the contented soul,
chaste love its only hope. Recitative.

This world deceives the eye by surface charms,
but is corroded within by hidden wounds.
Let us flee him who smiles, shun him who follows us,
for by skilfully displaying its pleasures, this world
overwhelms us by deceit. Aria.

The serpent's hiss conceals its venom,
as it uncoils itself
among blossoms and beauty.
But with a furtive touch of the lips,
a man maddened by love

will often kiss as if licking honey. Alleluia.