Allhor ch'io senti e'l cor

Benedetto Pallavicino’s Allhor ch'io senti e'l cor is a compelling secular Italian madrigal for SATTB voices. Composed during the Renaissance, a period rich with expressive secular part-music, this work captures the intense emotions of love. The text describes the heart aflame and bound by love’s chains, ignited by a fair face and white hand. The composer masterfully uses the voices to convey the singer’s passionate response to these powerful affections, with Amor himself commanding both heat and bonds. This madrigal would be a striking choice for a concert programme, offering a moment of fervent emotional expression through exquisite Renaissance vocal writing. Its intricate SATTB texture allows for rich harmonic colours and dynamic interplay.