Arsi già solo

Imagine a Renaissance court gathering, perhaps a fête champêtre or an intimate salon, where this exquisite madrigal by Luzzasco Luzzaschi might have been performed. Sung by SATTB voices, Arsi già solo is a secular work from the Italian madrigal tradition, reflecting the era's sophisticated approach to polyphony and word painting. The text speaks of intense love and desire, of being consumed by a 'double flame of love, double desire,' yet finding solace and growth within that ardour, a 'gentle ardour' that 'grows like a flame and does not consume the heart.' The composer masterfully captures these conflicting emotions, creating a rich and complex musical setting that would have delighted discerning listeners.