Amor, se voi, ch'io porti

Ascanio Meo’s Amor, se voi, ch’io porti is a sophisticated Italian madrigal for SATTB voices, perfect for a concert programme seeking to showcase the expressive capabilities of a chamber choir. The text, drawn from Alberto Parma’s Rime piacevoli, explores the complex emotional landscape of love. The poet grapples with the overwhelming beauty of his beloved, which stirs both desire and a longing for divine grace. He oscillates between adoration and frustration, experiencing torment when his love is not reciprocated, yet simultaneously wishing for death rather than to cease loving her. This rich emotional arc is mirrored in the intricate vocal writing, typical of the secular part-music tradition of the late Renaissance.