Giocond'e crudo fato

This striking five-part madrigal by Giovanni Maria Nanino explores the complex emotions of love. Sung in Italian, the text speaks of a paradoxical fate that bestows both joy and hardship, a 'grateful sorrow' that brings death and life, and a state of constant change with 'bitter and sweet ardor'. The SAAAB voicing allows for rich harmonic interplay, characteristic of secular Renaissance part-music. This work would suit a choir looking for a challenging yet rewarding exploration of Renaissance vocal colour and expressive text-painting, ideal for a concert program seeking variety and depth.