Ben fù dolce e soave Ergasto

This Italian madrigal captures a poignant contrast between fleeting sweetness and enduring bitterness. The text speaks of the honey-like sweetness of a lover's kiss, which then gives way to the bitterness of their cruel departure. It urges Tirsi to temper his sorrows, suggesting that a single moment of joy can outweigh a thousand torments from love's wounds. However, the music ultimately offers a hopeful vision: even a brief taste of nectar can hint at the greater joys that the heart so eagerly desires. Composed for SSA and ATTB voices, this piece is a fine example of secular Renaissance part-music exploring complex emotions.