Hor ch'a la bella Clori

Benedetto Pallavicino’s Hor ch'a la bella Clori is a secular Italian madrigal for SSATB voices. The text paints a tender scene: Coridon is urged to kiss the sleeping Clori, lest he die of unfulfilled desire. He calls on Love for boldness, praying that his heart will soften so that by waking her, all his ills may be forgotten. Pallavicino’s setting captures the delicate drama of the text, with interwoven vocal lines creating a rich yet transparent texture. This work is a fine example of the sophisticated part-music typical of the Italian Renaissance madrigal, showcasing both expressive word-painting and vocal lyricism.