Dolce mio ben amor mio caro

This expressive Italian madrigal for SSATTB voices, Dolce mio ben amor mio caro, was composed by Alessandro Striggio. It is a secular work from the Renaissance period. The text speaks of a profound love and the bittersweet experience of kissing a beloved whose lips are not yet entirely one's own. The singer's soul soars with joy at the beloved's kind and honest response, yet a strange coldness descends upon the body as the beloved's soul becomes ever dearer and more beautiful. This piece would suit a programme of Italian Renaissance polyphony, offering a rich harmonic texture and a poignant emotional journey for both singers and listeners.