This edition was prepared by Willem Verkaik — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
A dio dolce mia vita
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
Preview
0
0
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
A dio dolce mia vita by Giovanni Bernardo Colombi — Lyrics
A dio, dolce mia vita,
Dicea Clori gradita.
A dio, aspra mia morte.
Damon rispose forte.
Caro Damon, a dio,
diss’ella in volto pio.
A dio, Clori d’ingrata,
Soggiuns’in voce irata.
Che t’ho fatt’io, pastore?
Read full lyrics
About A dio dolce mia vita
This secular Italian madrigal for SSAATB voices captures a poignant farewell between lovers. The text depicts a dialogue, with Clori's gentle goodbye met by Damon's forceful parting, followed by a heated exchange where Damon accuses Clori of infidelity. Clori protests her innocence, attributing Damon's suspicions to false rumors. The piece concludes with the lovers reconciling, hands clasped in peace, and their bodies united. The intricate vocal writing of the madrigal tradition allows for rich harmonic expression, perfectly suiting the dramatic emotional arc of the text, from tender parting to bitter accusation and final reunion.
