If beauty be a treasure

Thomas Weelkes celebrates the enduring nature of beauty in this exquisite madrigal. The text reassures a sweetheart that true beauty transcends earthly decay, exceeding any material wealth. With its SSSAAB voicing, the composer crafts a rich, sonorous texture to enhance the sentiment of lasting admiration. This secular work, characteristic of the English madrigal tradition, explores themes of love and idealised beauty with delicate word-painting and contrapuntal grace. It offers a delightful opportunity for a choir to engage with the sophisticated charm of Renaissance part-music, bringing to life a message of affection and timeless allure.