Come ogni rio

Luca Marenzio was a prolific composer of madrigals in the late Renaissance. His skill in setting poetry to music is evident in this sophisticated setting for double choir (SATTTB). The text, which is in Italian, uses the image of a river flowing into the sea to illustrate how good things can be corrupted by overwhelming sorrow. The composer mirrors this sentiment by depicting the transformation of sweet, clear water into bitter, troubled waves. Marenzio's rich harmonic language and contrapuntal textures are ideal for conveying the dramatic emotional arc of the poem, making this a compelling choice for experienced choirs.