This edition was prepared by Allen Garvin — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Avorio e gemma ed ogni pietra dura
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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Avorio e gemma ed ogni pietra dura by Giaches de Wert — Lyrics
Avorio e gemma et ogni pietra dura
che meglio da l’intaglio si difende,
romper si può; ma non ch’altra figura
prenda, che quella ch’una volta prende.
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About Avorio e gemma ed ogni pietra dura
The Italian text of this madrigal speaks of the unchangeable nature of love's impression. Like ivory, gems, and hard stone, the heart, once shaped by love, cannot be altered. It compares the heart to marble or metal, which can be broken but not reshaped by another beauty. Giaches de Wert's setting for SATTB voices masterfully conveys this idea of enduring devotion. As a secular madrigal from the Renaissance, it exemplifies the intricate polyphony and expressive word-painting characteristic of the genre, offering a rich musical exploration of the text's powerful metaphor for steadfast affection.
