L'amoroso veleno

This Italian madrigal by Antonio Cifra vividly portrays the consuming pain of love, likening it to a venomous serpent that has already coursed into the heart. The text describes how the mere thought of seeking help from the beloved only serves to disturb their serene countenance, leading to a sense of helplessness. The speaker languishes, unable to ask for solace, dying solely for the object of their affection. Yet, in a poignant paradox, the speaker pleads with the beloved not to flee, asserting that they are not asking for aid, but rather proclaiming the beloved to be the very source of their life. The SSATB voicing allows for rich harmonic interplay to underscore the dramatic emotional journey.