Amor se pur degg' io

This rich five-part madrigal by Benedetto Pallavicino explores the pain of unrequited love. The text speaks directly to Love, questioning why the singer must die without pity for his suffering. He implores Love to strike down the cruel object of his affections, asking that if Love must wound her, at least have mercy on his great misery. Pallavicino’s setting matches the dramatic text with vibrant harmonies and expressive word-painting, characteristic of the secular Italian madrigal tradition. The SSATB voicing allows for a wide range of emotional expression, from pleading to despair, making this a compelling programme choice for experienced choirs.