A che tormi'l ben mio

Luca Marenzio's A che tormi'l ben mio is a secular Italian madrigal for two choirs, SSAAT and SSAAB. The text expresses profound suffering and despair, questioning why life is prolonged if death is the only solace. The speaker laments the agony of their situation, describing it as an unbearable torment. They implore their beloved, Madonna, to understand the depth of their pain, fearing that even speaking of dying will lead to the loss of their precious joy and treasure. The interplay between the two vocal ensembles in this polyphonic setting enhances the dramatic and emotional intensity of the lament.