Hor co'l canto hor co i sguardi

Alessandro Savioli’s secular madrigal for SSATB voices opens with a vivid interplay between the vocal lines, mirroring the text’s restless imagery. The Italian lyrics describe a beloved warrior who attacks with song and glances, causing the singer to yearn for both life and death. Yet, the poet resolves that a passionate kiss would bring victory and sweet revenge. Savioli captures this conflict and eventual triumph with music that shifts dynamically, exploring the dramatic possibilities of the five-part texture. This work is a fine example of the expressive power and intricate writing characteristic of the Italian madrigal tradition.