Gentil coppia eccellente

Tiburtio Massaino’s madrigal Gentil coppia eccellente celebrates a pair of lovers so exquisite that merely seeing and hearing them once, without dying of pleasure, allows one to go on to hear and see the Sirens and Basilisks of Love. This is secular part-music from the Renaissance, set here for SATB choir. The Italian text is a delightful hyperbole, painting a vivid picture of overwhelming romantic admiration and desire. Massaino’s setting would have been performed in intimate social gatherings, its intricate vocal lines and expressive harmonies designed to captivate listeners with their wit and beauty.