Ero così dicea

Giovanni Bernardino Nanino's madrigal Ero così dicea sets a secular Italian text by Marcantonio Martinengo. The words express a deep personal devotion, comparing the beloved's beauty to Narcissus bathing in water and lamenting that the sea holds such a treasure. The composer vividly captures the emotional intensity of the text, with the SATTB voices weaving together to create rich harmonies and expressive melodic lines. This is a fine example of Renaissance part-music, showcasing Nanino's skill in text painting and his ability to evoke a powerful sense of longing and adoration through vocal texture.