Per Pieta, bell idol mio

The piece opens with a hurried piano introduction that immediately sets a theatrical mood, with dramatic chords. The vocal melody is first taken at a quick pace and is generally simple, though it ends with a few rather theatrical reprises with dramatic changes of dynamics and tempo. The da capo repetition ends with overtly operatic touches from both voice and accompaniment, including the traditional operatic thundering flourish of an ending from the piano. ~ All Music Guide