Donna ch'ornata sete

This secular Italian madrigal for SSATB voices celebrates a lady adorned with high virtues that the world honours, inspiring love and adoration in every noble heart. The text speaks of her elevated worth, which is consistently revealed in a sweet style, filling all with wonder. The composer urges her to ensure that the grace and beauty bestowed by heaven are not tarnished, but remain steadfast with faith. Cornelis Schoonhoven's composition captures the Renaissance spirit of intricate part-singing and expressive text setting, characteristic of the madrigal genre. It offers a rich harmonic and contrapuntal experience for an accomplished choir.