Ho vist’una marotta far n’a danza

This Neapolitan madrigal by Giovan Thomaso Di Maio, set for SAT voices, paints a series of absurd and fantastical images. The text describes a dwarf dancing, a donkey playing a bagpipe, and a magpie picking quinces. It continues with a nun running with a lance, a bear killed on a mountain, and a hen fighting a weasel. The composer brings these surreal scenes to life with vivid musical details, creating a humorous and engaging experience for both singers and listeners. This secular work showcases the playful side of Renaissance part-music, with an imaginative text that is brought to life by Di Maio's skill.