Chi non sa

Bartolomeo Spighi da Prato's Chi non sa is a secular Italian madrigal for two sopranos. The text paints a scene of unrequited love and jealousy, contrasting the speaker's joy in their beloved with the indifference of their lover, a nymph for whom they languish. The singer laments that great beauty is not necessarily accompanied by kindness, suggesting that a lesser beauty coupled with compassion is far more valuable. This intimate setting for two sopranos effectively conveys the delicate and personal nature of the emotions expressed in the text, ideal for a small ensemble looking for expressive Renaissance part-music.