While today there are some questions about its attribution to Bellini (the song was not published until 1935 in the Tre ariette collection), this song is still generally credited to him and is at the very least consistent with his style of simple, gradually unfolding melodies and (in his songs) minimal or no ornamentation.

While it creates incredible demands on the singer, the song calls for breath control and subtlety rather than for display of agility and range. The lines, typical of Bellini, are lingering and gradually developing, over an accompaniment that leaves the singer to provide most of the dynamic shaping and shading. The structure is strophic, which also creates interpretive challenges; the singer must build upon but not completely repeat the mood and emotions of the first verse while interpreting the second. The small, mostly stepwise intervals also call for subtle shadings of intonation and dynamics.

The piano introduction sets the pensive, faintly melancholy mood with its rocking arpeggios, over which the melodic theme is played high in the treble. After this one iteration of the melody, the accompaniment takes the melodic lead only in the bridge between verses, in which it repeats the introduction. Each verse ends with a heavily repetitive section which, while reminiscent in structure of the ending of an operatic cabaletta, only marginally increases speed and intensity, so the tone of the song remains dreamy and amorous.

© All Music Guide