Hora ch' ogn' animal

This Italian canzonetta by Orazio Vecchi paints a vivid nocturnal scene. The speaker is unable to sleep, wandering and lamenting a lady who takes pleasure in his suffering. He sings, but his song brings no relief, as she lies awake, hears him, and remains silent, unwilling to grant him even the slightest favour. He suspects she is feigning sleep to ignore his pleas and to mock his faithless nature. As dawn approaches, he sees the morning star and his 'Turca' (perhaps a metaphor for his beloved or his distress) grows darker. He decides to present himself at the Tribunal of Love, bidding farewell to his lodging, accepting the inevitable pain. The intimate SST voicing and the expressive Italian text make this a poignant exploration of unrequited love.