Amur, se mi tel dao

Francesco Bonardo's Amur, se mi tel dao is a secular madrigal for SATB choir, sung in Italian. This piece would suit a programme exploring Renaissance part-music, perhaps at a celebratory occasion or a gathering of friends. The text, a dramatic and somewhat boastful declaration of love, speaks of a lover eager to offer his prime years, then later, in a fit of pique, willing to give his heart away to another. The composer captures this emotional volatility with lively, energetic writing throughout the four vocal parts. This is a piece for a choir that enjoys bringing vivid, dramatic texts to life with expressive singing.