Cosi vol mia ventura

Teofilo Gargario's Cosi vol mia ventura is written for two tenors, offering a charming example of secular Italian madrigal writing. The music opens with a lively interplay between the two voices, setting a mood of restless searching. The text expresses a sense of fate and personal failing, with the narrator gathering flowers and herbs while humbly weeping, seeking a 'tigre' – perhaps a symbolic representation of an elusive love or desire. The two-part texture allows for close imitation and dialogue, reflecting the narrator's internal state. This concise madrigal would be a delightful addition to a programme of Renaissance part-music.