This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Feritevi, ferite
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
Preview
0
0
3 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
Feritevi, ferite by Heinrich Schütz — Lyrics
Feritevi, ferite, viperette mordaci,
dolci guerriere ardite
del dilett' e d'amor bocche sagaci,
saettatevi pur' vibrat' ardenti,
l'armi vostre pugendi,
Read full lyrics
About Feritevi, ferite
Heinrich Schütz's Feritevi, ferite is a vibrant secular madrigal for SSATB voices. The music immediately plunges the listener into a world of intense, even paradoxical, emotion. The text speaks of 'biting vipers' and 'bold warriors' of love, urging them to strike, but with a twist: that their wounds should bring life, their wars peace, and their sharp words and kisses should heal rather than harm. Schütz masterfully captures this dramatic tension through intricate vocal interplay and rich harmonic language, characteristic of the Italian madrigal tradition. The composer explores the duality of passion, where pain and pleasure are inextricably linked, making this a compelling and challenging work for any discerning choir.
