Dolcissima mia vita

Bernardino Mosto was a composer of the late Renaissance. His madrigal Dolcissima mia vita is written for SSATB voices and sung in Italian. The text expresses a passionate lament of unrequited love. The poet addresses his beloved, the 'sweetest life' in whom his 'loving good' is placed. He feels he cannot die, for his heart has been given to his lady. He pleads for its return, and if granted, he would willingly die in flames of love. Mosto’s setting captures the drama and emotion of the text with rich vocal writing.