Folminava d'amor questa rubella

Horatio Colombano's Folminava d'amor questa rubella is a secular madrigal for SATTB voices, dating from the late sixteenth century. Its text, by Giuliano Gosellini, describes a lightning bolt that, passing near the eyes of the composer's beloved, is overcome by their beauty. This is a vivid depiction of love's power, where earthly beauty defeats divine wrath, leading to a humorous reversal where the gods themselves are now enflamed. The intricate vocal writing is characteristic of the Italian madrigal tradition, demanding both technical skill and expressive interpretation from the singers to convey the text's wit and passion.