Amor io sento

Giovanni de Macque’s madrigal Amor io sento for SSATBB voices opens with a rich texture, voices entwining to express the gentle sighs of a lover. The composer captures the sweetness of Laura’s presence, a feeling so profound it renews an ancient flame in the heart. The text speaks of Love showing the beloved in such a graceful and beautiful way that the soul is overwhelmed with an exquisite sweetness. This secular Italian part-song from the Renaissance period is a fine example of the genre, where polyphonic writing serves to enhance the expressive quality of the poetry.