Nulla in mundo pax sincera

Nulla in mundo pax sincera, RV 630, is a sacred motet composed by Antonio Vivaldi in 1735 to an anonymous Latin text, the title of which may be translated as "In this world there is no honest peace" or "There is no true peace in this world without bitterness". 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. It is considered to be one of Vivaldi's most beautiful solo motets.

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

Text
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 (i.e. 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 corroded hearts with 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.

The first aria, sung by Jane Edwards, was featured in the 1996 film Shine.

Media
  • The instrumental version of Nulla in mundo pax sincera is used as the song for the phonograph in the video game We Need to Go Deeper


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