Fuggiti dal mio raggio

Luzzasco Luzzaschi's Fuggiti dal mio raggio is a secular Italian madrigal for SATTB voices. The text paints a vivid scene where the speaker, perhaps a nymph or a woman scorned, warns a gentle shepherd to flee her presence. She describes her gaze as a dangerous wave, one that scorches too much and floods the other, urging him to return to his flock lest he be extinguished by her overwhelming emotions. The lyrics express a powerful, almost destructive, passion that the shepherd must escape to survive. This composition offers a dramatic portrayal of unchecked feeling, typical of the Renaissance madrigal tradition, showcasing the expressive capabilities of the five-part vocal ensemble.