Ben è ragion ch'io t'ami

On a warm summer evening, perhaps after a fine meal, this Italian madrigal by Alessandro Striggio would be a fitting choice. The text, drawn from Guarini’s collection of poems, speaks of a love so profound that the singer asks how they could possibly desire any other. The music, set for SSATB voices, mirrors the intense emotion of the words, with flowing melodic lines and rich harmonies. Striggio’s mastery of the genre shines through, creating a piece that is both technically demanding and emotionally resonant, perfect for an experienced choir looking to explore the expressive possibilities of Renaissance secular part-music.