Ancide sol la morte

Carlo Gesualdo's Ancide sol la morte is a secular Italian madrigal for SSATB voices. Gesualdo was a notable composer of the late Renaissance, known for his intensely expressive and chromatic style. The text, originating from the early 17th century, speaks of death itself as the only killer, yet the beloved's eyes, who represents life, cannot inflict death. The speaker expresses a desire to die willingly for their beloved, if only the fatal wound could come from such vital beauty. This madrigal exemplifies the heightened emotional language and sophisticated word painting characteristic of the genre, offering a compelling challenge for a discerning choir.