Dites, maîtresse

Philippe de Monte’s Dites, maîtresse is a secular French madrigal for SSATB voices. It might be sung at a lively gathering or a more intimate moment of reflection. The text expresses the heartfelt lament of a lover who cannot understand his mistress’s cruelty. He pleads with her, asking what he has done to deserve such harsh treatment and protesting his unwavering devotion. He fears she wishes him dead and, in despair, resigns himself to her will, declaring his life is hers. Monte’s setting would capture the emotional intensity of this plea, with the rich texture of the five-part choir enhancing the dramatic narrative.