Come l'effett'al nome

Alessandro Striggio’s secular SSATTB madrigal Come l'effett'al nome opens with a striking textural interplay between the voices, setting a text that praises a lady’s virtues. The composer contrasts moments of intense, complex polyphony with simpler, homophonic passages, reflecting the contrasting ideas of beauty and worth within the poetry. The madrigal unfolds as a passionate plea, the poet begging his beloved to show him kindness, lest he perish from unrequited love. Striggio’s sophisticated handling of the six voices creates a rich and expressive sound world, characteristic of the finest Italian Renaissance part-music.