Come fiammeggia e splende

Maddalena Casulana was an accomplished composer in the tradition of Italian Renaissance madrigalists. This SSATB setting, Come fiammeggia e splende, is a secular work that explores a poetic text in its original Italian. The lyrics speak of how the sun shines brightly, comparing its radiance to the noble worth of a lady. This high virtue, the text states, is not earned through mortal deeds but is a divine gift, inspired by the Muses. Casulana’s music would have been intended for skilled amateur or professional singers, reflecting the sophisticated musical culture of the time.