Forse è cagion l'aurora

Imagine a sunlit morning, perhaps in the heart of spring, where the natural world awakens with song. It is in such a setting that this secular Italian madrigal by Bartolomeo Spontone would find its voice. Composed for SSATB voices, the music captures the poet’s wonder at the beauty of nature, attributing the harmonious sounds of leaves, branches, water, and wind to the dawn. The text then shifts focus, praising the beauty of Tarquinia and how she seems to make the earth fall in love with her. The anticipation builds as the singer hears a familiar voice, recognizing the arrival of Tarquinia and the imminent approach of Love. Spontone’s setting would likely reflect this gentle unfolding of observation and emotional response with refined vocal textures.