Al dolce vostro canto

The words of this Italian madrigal paint a scene of almost supernatural power, where a beautiful song stills the rivers, calms the air and wind, and even makes the heavens pause and the sun halt in its course. The poet imagines that if he could always hear such a sweet and honest song, the flower of his youth would be eternal. Philippe de Monte sets this text for SATB voices, crafting a work that reflects the wonder and intensity of the words. This secular piece exemplifies the rich expressive possibilities of the Renaissance madrigal.