L'amante modesto

Barbara Strozzi’s L'amante modesto is a madrigal for SSATB voices, sung in Italian. It comes from a collection of her secular part-music, a genre popular in the Renaissance. The text speaks of a chaste and modest love, contrasting with a more impudent desire. The speaker wishes only for the beloved Clori to know of his pure devotion, finding contentment in her reciprocal affection rather than seeking physical union. This sentiment is conveyed through rich vocal textures, characteristic of the madrigal tradition, painting a picture of quiet adoration and inner ardour expressed through a 'honest sigh'. It is a work that would suit a formal concert setting or a special occasion when subtle emotional expression is desired.