Caro dolce ben mio

Giovanni Piccioni's Caro dolce ben mio is a secular Italian madrigal for SATTB voices. The text expresses the singer's plea to Cupid, who has cruelly struck them with love's arrow. The singer begs the archer to release them from this snare, praying that he might kindly loosen the harsh tie that binds them, allowing their soul to give its heart to their beloved. This setting of the text for five voices reflects the rich polyphonic tradition of the Italian madrigal, offering a chance for expressive ensemble singing and careful attention to the interplay of voices as the text unfolds.