D'una bella matina

Teodoro Riccio’s D’una bella matina is a secular Italian canzona for a large six-part choir (SSATTB). The text paints a vivid scene of a lover waking early and joyfully seeking their beloved. The singer’s plea for affection is met not with an immediate embrace, but with a sweet parting kiss. This kiss is so profound that the singer’s soul is instantly transported, suggesting an overwhelming emotional response to the encounter, even in its brevity. The music would likely reflect this dramatic narrative, moving from lighthearted anticipation to a moment of deep, almost spiritual, rapture.