I desiai, ben mio

This exquisite SSATB madrigal by Giaches de Wert is a testament to the composer's mastery of Italian secular part-music from the Renaissance. The text expresses a profound and dramatic plea from a lover to their beloved. The singer laments that their life should have ended with the beloved's departure, so great was the pain. Just as their spirit was failing, a reassuring glance from their love offered sweet comfort, as if to say, 'Soothe your sorrow now, for you will soon see me again.' Wert's setting captures the intense emotions of the text, making it an ideal choice for a choir seeking to explore the rich expressivity of the madrigal tradition.