Era presso al morire

Giovanni Croce paints a vivid scene of near-death recovery in this expressive madrigal for SATB choir. The text, in Italian, describes the suffering of Hyacinth, on the verge of death from sharp pain, being revived by the gentle aura of dawn. This moment of restoration brings him back to life, offering a sweet paradise. The music reflects this dramatic shift from despair to joy, as the lyrics implore the soul to live, breathe, and find solace and love.

Croce masterfully uses the voices to depict the emotional journey of the text. The madrigal format allows for rich harmonic interplay and textual declamation, making it a compelling choice for choirs seeking to explore the dramatic and lyrical possibilities of Renaissance part-music. It is a poignant setting of a classical myth, transformed into a moment of serene beauty.