Guarda de chi me ivi

Imagine a lively gathering in Renaissance Italy, perhaps a garden party or a festive hall. It is here that Giovanni Domenico da Nola's secular Italian piece, Guarda de chi me ivi, would have been sung. Scored for two sopranos and a tenor (SST), this piece falls into the genre of madrigals or villanellas, known for their expressive musical settings of poetry. The text speaks of unrequited love, the singer's deep affection for a lady who shows no favour, and his plea for just a single kind word or smile. He declares his love to be as great as possible, yet finds himself increasingly yearning for a response from her, even willing to die content if she would only show a little grace. The music would likely capture the poignant, yet sometimes lighthearted, nature of these words, making it a charming addition to any vocal ensemble's repertoire.