Composer

:

Luca Marenzio

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Part Song

Publication Date

:

1595

Average_duration

:

4:55

'Cruda Amarilli che co 'l nom'ancora' is a madrigal composed by Luca Marenzio, an Italian composer of the late Renaissance period. The piece was included in his seventh book of madrigals, which was published in 1595. The madrigal is written for five voices and is considered one of Marenzio's most famous works. The piece is characterized by its expressive and emotional nature, which is typical of the madrigal genre. The text, written by Giovanni Battista Guarini, tells the story of a shepherdess named Amarilli who is in love with a shepherd named Mirtillo. However, Mirtillo is in love with another woman, and Amarilli is left heartbroken. The madrigal is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the story. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture. The second movement is faster and more rhythmic, with the voices imitating each other in a polyphonic texture. The third movement returns to the slow and mournful character of the first movement, with the voices singing in a homophonic texture once again. The piece is notable for its use of chromaticism, which was a hallmark of Marenzio's style. The chromaticism is used to convey the intense emotions of the text, particularly in the first and third movements. The piece also features a number of expressive vocal techniques, such as melismatic passages and vocal ornamentation. 'Cruda Amarilli che co 'l nom'ancora' premiered in the late 16th century and quickly became popular among musicians and audiences alike. It has since become a staple of the madrigal repertoire and is still performed and recorded today. The piece is a testament to Marenzio's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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