"Per questa bella mano", K. 612, is a concert aria by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composed in Vienna. It is dated 8 March 1791 on Mozart's own catalogue. Sung by a solo bass with an obbligato double bass. It is well known by players of the double bass, with difficult scale work and double stops. It may have been composed as an interlude in a performance of an opera buffa, written by another composer. The aria remains a popular and often performed concert piece today.
Contents
Description
The piece is in two sections; a slow 6/8 andante, finishing with an allegro in common time. The text is a romantic declaration of love. The aria is in the key of D major.
History
The original singer was Franz Xaver Gerl, who notably sung the roles of Don Giovanni, Figaro and Sarastro. The original double bass player was Friedrich Pischlberg.
Instrumentation
The orchestra consists of a flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two French horns and strings.
Text
The text of this aria is from the comic opera Le vicende d'amore, written by Giambattista Neri.