Cantavan tre leggiadre Pastorelle

This delightful madrigal for SSAT voices, sung in Italian, opens with a charming interplay of the four parts, evoking the gentle beauty of the pastoral scene. The music vividly paints the image of three graceful shepherdesses singing so sweetly that they calmed the sea and stopped the winds. As Damon draws near, the musical texture responds to his presence, the harmonies becoming richer. The composer captures the poet's delight in this pleasing harmony, leading to a moment of rapt attention before he is ultimately captivated by the song of a single nymph. Annibale Coma’s setting is a fine example of secular Renaissance part-music, full of expressive detail and musical charm.