Espess' intenta al suon

The composer Domenico Micheli sets a Petrarchan sonnet in this Italian secular madrigal for SATTB voices. The text speaks of love, comparing the beloved to a beautiful flower from her garden. The poet wishes for a garland made of this flower, and implores that if love is not fully granted, at least a little sweetness should be offered to compensate for bitterness. Micheli's setting reflects the rich textures and expressive harmonies characteristic of the madrigal tradition, where word-painting and affective dissonance were common tools. The five-part writing allows for intricate polyphony and dynamic contrast, making it a substantial and rewarding work for an accomplished choir.