This edition was prepared by Willem Verkaik — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Benche senza mentire
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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Benche senza mentire by Annibale Zoilo — Lyrics
Mentre ti fui si grato,
Che'l braccio al collo,e'n sen le mani ascose,
Altri mai non ti pose;
Vissi in felice stato
Eguale al Re de Persi,o piu beato.
Mentre ti fui si cara,
Che scolpita nel cor Lidia mai sempre,
T'era con dolci tempre,
Vissi fra l'altre rara,
E piu ch'Ilia non fu famosa e chiara.
Hor pien d'altro desio
Seguo l'amata mia vaga Amaranta,
Che dolce suona, e canta:
Per cui morir desio,
Se a lei cresce di vita il morir mio.
Hor un laccio, un'ardore,
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About Benche senza mentire
This Italian madrigal for SSATB opens with a texture that immediately evokes the emotional intensity of the text. The voices weave together, creating a rich and complex sound world. The composer explores the expressive possibilities of word-painting, bringing the poetic sentiments to life through intricate melodic and harmonic invention. The text reflects on past affections and the bittersweet nature of present desire. This is a prime example of secular Renaissance part-music, showcasing the composer's skill in setting Italian poetry to music with both technical brilliance and profound emotional depth, making it a rewarding challenge for any discerning choir.
