Cruel, wilt thou persever

Thomas Morley's Cruel, wilt thou persever is a fine example of the English madrigal, a genre of secular part-music flourishing in the late Renaissance. Composed for SATTB voices, this piece sets a poignant English text that questions the nature of cruelty and its relationship to peace and happiness. The lyrics ponder when true solace can be found, suggesting it may only arise after periods of hardship. Morley's setting likely explores these emotional contours through intricate vocal interplay and rich harmonic language characteristic of the era, making it a rewarding challenge for accomplished choirs.