Dolcissima cagion

Philippe de Monte's Dolcissima cagion is a masterful example of Italian secular polyphony from the Renaissance. Scored for SATTB voices, this madrigal explores themes of paradoxical love, where sweetness is intertwined with pain, and suffering brings solace. The text speaks of a 'sweetest cause of all my care,' a 'gentle poison that nourishes,' and a 'rich servitude always begging.' It presents a lover's complex emotional state, finding paradoxically a form of happiness in their torment. This rich five-part texture, with its intricate interplay of voices, would lend itself well to a sophisticated choral programme, perhaps during a contemplative moment in a concert or a special occasion.