Ardo, sì, ma non t'amo II

Orlando di Lasso’s Ardo, sì, ma non t’amo II is a striking example of the Italian madrigal. This SATTB setting masterfully captures the text’s defiant sentiment. The music opens with a vigorous declaration of independence from love, the interlocking vocal lines creating a sense of urgent resolve. Lasso explores the contrast between burning passion and a heart now healed, the word-painting vividly depicting the shift from romantic ardour to a more noble, if still intense, feeling of scorn. The interplay between the voices, particularly in the imitative passages, underscores the complex emotions of betrayal and newfound self-assurance expressed in Guarini’s poetry. It is a potent work for a skilled choir.