Chi mi terrà poi ch'io son sol

This secular Italian madrigal for double choir (SATB.SATB) conjures a moment of intense personal reflection, perhaps on a quiet evening, as the singer grapples with overwhelming emotion and the perceived indifference of a cruel beloved. The text speaks of being alone, tormented by a fierce desire that is met with scorn and despair, leading to a hardening of the heart. The narrative unfolds through a series of questions and exclamations, reflecting a soul in anguish seeking solace. Ultimately, the singer finds a path forward, a resolution to live, leaving the torment behind and finding peace, as if in the embrace of the one who caused such suffering. The complex vocal textures of the double choir allow for rich harmonic interplay, ideal for conveying the dramatic shifts in mood and the intimate, yet grand, expression of the text.