The song is a staple for tenors and has been recorded by legendary artists: Fenesta Che Lucive

The song tells the morbid story of a young man who visits the home of his beloved only to find her window dark:

: The music was first published in 1842 by Guillaume Louis Cottrau . While often attributed to Vincenzo Bellini , historians generally view it as a traditional Neapolitan melody arranged by Cottrau.