Composer

:

Sigismondo d'India

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1615

Average_duration

:

1:23

Sigismondo d'India was an Italian composer and singer of the early Baroque period. He was born in Palermo, Sicily, in 1582 and died in Turin in 1629. He is known for his contributions to the development of the monody style of vocal music, which was a precursor to opera. One of d'India's most famous works is the madrigal "Ardo, lassa, o non ardo?" which was composed in the early 17th century. The piece is a lament for unrequited love and is written for a solo voice with accompaniment. The premiere of "Ardo, lassa, o non ardo?" is not known, but it was likely performed in the courts of Italy where d'India worked as a musician. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Lento" and is a slow and mournful lament. The vocal line is accompanied by a simple chordal accompaniment that emphasizes the melancholic mood of the piece. The text of the first movement describes the pain of unrequited love and the longing for the beloved. The second movement is marked "Allegro" and is a more lively and rhythmic section. The vocal line is more florid and ornamented, and the accompaniment is more complex. The text of the second movement describes the torment of the lover and the desire to be free from the pain of love. The third movement is marked "Adagio" and is a return to the slow and mournful mood of the first movement. The vocal line is accompanied by a descending bass line that emphasizes the sense of loss and despair in the text. The final lines of the text express the hopelessness of the lover's situation and the inevitability of their suffering. Overall, "Ardo, lassa, o non ardo?" is a powerful expression of the pain and longing of unrequited love. D'India's use of the monody style and his skillful setting of the text make this piece a masterpiece of early Baroque vocal music.

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