Il giusto iddio

The text of Il giusto iddio expresses a divine judgment upon sin, when God's justice, equal to his mercy, is shown to be formidable. The text describes how God has sent tyrannical rulers and monsters to the world to demonstrate his justice, citing Nero and Caligula as examples of such cruelty. This secular Italian madrigal for TTB voices, by Eliseo Ghibel, explores a powerful theological and historical theme, offering a dramatic narrative suitable for a discerning choir. The composer's setting of this serious text would have been intended for skilled amateur or professional musicians of the Renaissance, who relished complex word-painting and rich polyphony.