Il gran signor di Delo

Philippe de Monte conjures a striking nocturnal image, as the great lord of Delos, the sun, descends, hiding his golden chariot in the depths of the sea. The text expresses the poet's profound sorrow and despair, finding solace only in dark, unfamiliar musical modes. He begins to weep and speak of fearful, despondent things, collapsing onto his bed, overcome by pain and love. This SATTB madrigal showcases Monte's expressive harmonic language and text painting, ideal for a discerning choir seeking to explore the rich emotional landscape of late Renaissance secular part-music. The Italian text allows for a direct and poignant delivery of the poet's lament.