Ah dolente partita

Giaches de Wert's Ah, dolente partita is a secular Italian madrigal for SSATB voices. This work sets a poignant text exploring the agony of separation. The lyrics express the pain of leaving a loved one, describing it as a death-in-life, where the heart dies eternally even while the singer lives on. The music would suit a concert programme focusing on the expressive power of Renaissance polyphony, or perhaps a programme exploring themes of love and loss. Its five-part texture allows for rich harmonic colours and intricate contrapuntal interplay between the voices, making it a rewarding challenge for a skilled choir.