Fammi pur guerr' o Filli

Giovanni de Macque’s Fammi pur guerr' o Filli is a secular Italian madrigal for SATTB voices. The music opens with a bold declaration, setting the tone for the dramatic text that follows. The composer crafts intricate vocal interplay, mirroring the emotional turmoil of the lyrics. The text speaks of a lover's plea, urging their beloved to unleash their anger and break the bonds of love. Despite the lover's perceived cruelty, the singer remains steadfast, their hope tied to their beloved, even as their heart burns with passion or freezes with despair. Macque skilfully navigates these shifting emotions through rich harmonic language and contrapuntal writing, characteristic of the late Renaissance madrigal tradition.