C'hor dolcement' io canti

Domenico Micheli’s C’hor dolcement’ io canti is a rich example of the Italian madrigal. Sung in five parts by SATTB voices, this secular work would have graced the musical gatherings of the Renaissance. The text expresses the joy and pain of love, beginning with the singer’s sweet song inspired by the beloved, whom he calls his 'beautiful sun'. This initial delight turns to agony when he sees the beloved’s hand offered in pledge. Yet, even in his suffering, the singer finds paradise in the mere sight of the beloved’s face, comparing it to divine contemplation. The intricate vocal writing suits a choir looking for expressive Renaissance part-music.