Als Narcissus der schöne

This German secular madrigal by Leonhard Lechner tells the story of Narcissus, who scorned Echo's love and then fell in love with his own reflection. The text explores themes of unrequited love, vanity, and the consequences of pride. The music is set for three female voices (SSA), offering a delicate and expressive medium to convey the mythological narrative. It would suit a programme exploring classical myths or Renaissance vocal music. The madrigal follows Narcissus's tragic trajectory from his rejection of Echo to his infatuation with his own image and his eventual demise, serving as a cautionary tale about arrogance and self-obsession.