Ahi, come à un vago Sol

Antonio Cifra’s Ahi, come à un vago Sol is a rich five-part madrigal for SSATB voices. It sets a text by Guarini, exploring the pangs of love with expressive Italian lyrics. The music vividly portrays the emotional journey described in the poem, from the initial sting of Cupid's arrow to the enduring pain of a wound that never heals. Cifra’s harmonic language and contrapuntal skill are evident throughout, creating a dramatic and passionate setting that would be a rewarding challenge for an accomplished choir. This secular work is a fine example of the Italian madrigal tradition.