Donna la bella mano

This delightful Italian madrigal by Benedetto Pallavicino is perfect for a Renaissance program. Scored for SSATB voices, it explores a playful paradox of love, where the beloved's hand, offered to give, is perceived as stealing. The text poetically questions this 'theft,' suggesting that by giving, the beloved gains the power to steal the heart, only to return it to commit further 'robberies.' This intricate wordplay, set to expressive music, captures the lighthearted yet passionate spirit of secular Renaissance part-music, making it an engaging choice for choirs seeking to perform musically and textually rich repertoire from the period.