"Va Godendo" (Serse, 1738, George Frideric Handel, 1685–1759)

Performed by Madeleine LeBeau '24

This impressionistic Baroque aria captures the joy and folly of love by comparing victims of love to a freely flowing river; River View by Alfred Sisley captures the beauty and movement of a river flowing. To me, Sisley’s thin, impressionistic brushstrokes capture movement and joy on a sunny afternoon, celebrating the site as a place of renewal and delight. Sisley seems to depict the cheerful sounds that “Va Godendo” evokes, capturing the joy and airiness of love. 

Shelby Kinch ’22