This edition was prepared by Gerhard Weydt — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Che giova posseder
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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Che giova posseder by Cornelius Verdonck — Lyrics
Che giova posseder cittadi e regni,
e palagi abitar d'alto lavoro,
e servi intorno aver d'imperio degni,
e le arche gravi per molto tesoro,
esser cantate da sublimi ingegni
di porpora vestir, mangiar in oro,
e di bellezza pareggiar il sole,
giacendo poi nel letto fredde e sole?
Ma che non giova aver fedeli amanti,
E con essi partir ogni pensiero,
I desir, le paure, i risi, i pianti,
E l’ira e la speranza, e ’l falso e ’l vero,
Ed hor con opre care, hor con sembianti
Il grave della vita far leggiero,
E se di rozze in atto, e ’n pensier vili,
Sovra l’uso mondan vaghe, e gentili.
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About Che giova posseder
Cornelius Verdonck was a Flemish composer of the late Renaissance. He wrote secular vocal music, including madrigals. This polyphonic setting is for eight voices, SSAATTBB, in Italian. The text explores the vanity of earthly possessions and status. It questions the value of owning cities and kingdoms, living in grand palaces, commanding servants, accumulating treasure, being praised by great minds, wearing purple, dining from gold, and rivaling the sun in beauty, only to lie alone and cold in death. The poem then contrasts this with the joy of shared experiences with faithful lovers, where every thought, desire, fear, joy, sorrow, anger, hope, truth, and falsehood are mutually understood and shared, lightening the burdens of life.
