This edition was prepared by Allen Garvin — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Ché piangi, alma, e sospiri
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SSAATB · Allen Garvin
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Ché piangi, alma, e sospiri by Andrea Gabrieli — Lyrics
Ché piangi, alma, e sospiri
se per mostrar gran duolo
o sollevar la mente
da profondi martiri,
non vagliono i sospiri
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About Ché piangi, alma, e sospiri
Andrea Gabrieli’s Ché piangi, alma, e sospiri is a secular madrigal for SSAATB choir. The text asks the soul why it weeps and sighs, suggesting that sighs and tears alone are not enough to express great sorrow or lift the mind from deep suffering. It urges a bold death as the only way to truly leave pain behind. Gabrieli’s setting would have been part of the rich tradition of Italian Renaissance polyphony, exploring complex vocal textures and dramatic expression to convey the text’s poignant message. The five distinct voice parts offer a wealth of timbral and contrapuntal possibilities for the singers and director.
