Ben s'o non erro

Domenico Micheli was a composer of the Italian Renaissance, and this work is a secular madrigal for SATTB voices. The text, in Italian, describes a lover's hesitation and inner turmoil. He perceives a ray of pity from his beloved's clouded brow, which somewhat calms his sorrowful heart. However, he then finds himself unable to reveal his troubled feelings, so overwhelmed by his malady that he dares not begin to speak. The composer's setting would likely reflect this dramatic tension and emotional restraint, typical of the madrigal tradition's exploration of text and expression.