Hor ch'io t'ho dato'l core

The words express a lament of unrequited love, as the beloved flees after the lover has given their heart. The text questions who will now sustain the lover's life, now that their beloved has cruelly departed. This secular Italian madrigal for SSATB voices captures this emotional turmoil. Marco da Gagliano’s setting reflects the Renaissance madrigal tradition, with its focus on expressive text setting and intricate polyphony. The five-part texture allows for a rich interplay between the voices, enhancing the dramatic intensity of the lament.