Ahi dolc' e vagh' accenti

These words express delight at the beautiful, graceful sounds that the composer's harmony creates. The text speaks of how this harmony, sometimes seeming fleeting, sometimes slow, brings joy to the soul and makes it forget all pain. This Italian madrigal for two sopranos and tenor is a fine example of secular part-music from the Renaissance. It is designed to be sung a cappella, with the voices blending to create a rich and resonant sound. The composer, Giovanni Maria Nanino, was a notable figure in late 16th-century Roman musical life.