Esci del chiaro seno

Giovanni Andrea Dragoni was a composer of madrigals in the late 16th century. Esci del chiaro seno is a secular work for SATTB voices in Italian, drawing on texts by Giovanni Battista Strozzi. The lyrics speak of a beloved figure being urged to emerge from the bright heavens and come to rest, as evening falls. The imagery contrasts the gathering darkness with the threat of dawn, a motif often explored in the expressive world of the Italian madrigal. Dragoni sets this with vivid musical language, exploring the interplay of the five voice parts to capture the poem's emotional narrative and dramatic shifts. This piece offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for an accomplished choir.