This edition was prepared by Pothárn Imre — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
A che sì dura
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SAATB · Pothárn Imre
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A che sì dura by Philippe de Monte — Lyrics
A che sì dura e di sì alpestro core
Ti mostri Orsa gentil ch'altro non curi
Che'l proprio parto e gli altrui petti induri
Contra Venere bella e'l figlio Amore
Tu pur non come l'altre in aspro orrore
Fosti in boschi nodrita in antri oscuri
Ma tra bei fior tra fonti chiari e puri
Tra ninfe e fauni con divino onore
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About A che sì dura
This secular Italian madrigal for SAATB voices opens with delicate polyphony, the five parts weaving together with grace and precision. The music gradually builds in intensity as the text speaks of the goddess Callisto, who, despite her gentle nature and noble upbringing, is stern and unmoved by Venus and her son, Love. The composer paints a vivid picture of her stony heart, contrasting it with the natural beauty of her surroundings. The harmonic language shifts to reflect the text's turning point, where Callisto’s anger is ignited by heavenly powers. The piece concludes with a poignant plea for mercy, the vocal lines reaching a peak of emotional expression before a final, quiet resolution.
