This aria is sung by the character, Orfeo, from the opera, "Orfeo ed Euridice". Before the aria, Orfeo learned that he still has a chance to bring her wife, Euridice, back to life. This aria begins with his determination leaving the earth for hell to find Euridice. There are lots of coloratura passages in this piece. They could be Orfeo's excitement to reunite with his wife, fear of unknown danger, recollection of sweet memory of his wife, or... chills because winter is coming?