Come vuoi tu ch'io viva

This madrigal, Come vuoi tu ch’io viva, comes from the rich tradition of secular Italian part-music from the Renaissance. Andrea Gabrieli masterfully crafts this work for SSAATB choir, exploring a text of intense emotional paradox. The lyrics question the composer's very existence, caught between the desire to live and the pain of potential death, a state of being where life and death are inextricably intertwined. The setting would suit a concert programme seeking to showcase the expressive capabilities of a large choir, particularly in its ability to convey complex and dramatic textual sentiments through intricate vocal interplay. It offers a compelling challenge and a rewarding performance experience.