Canto de Profumieri

Lorenzo de Medici's Canto de Profumieri paints a charming scene of perfumers arriving in Valencia, instantly captivated by the Florentine ladies. The Italian text speaks of their beauty and grace, suggesting that anyone not in love with them would be better off without experiencing love at all. This secular madrigal for SATB voices, written in the vibrant tradition of Renaissance part-music, captures the wit and sophisticated wordplay characteristic of the era. The composer, a key figure of the Florentine Renaissance, imbues the music with a lighthearted yet elegant spirit, reflecting the text's amorous declarations and playful flattery, making it a delightful choice for any discerning choir.