Si ch'io vorrei morire

Si ch'io vorrei morire

Yes, I want to die!
Now, with love, I kiss the mouth of my lover.
Ah, dear and sweet kiss,
You give me such a feeling that I may pass on.
Oh my life, on this pale breast!
For pity's sake, love me.
Oh, the mouth, the kiss.
The words return again to say:
Yes, I want to die!

“Si ch'io vorrei morire” is from Claudio Monteverdi's n Quarto Libro de Madrigali a cinque voci (Fourth Book of Madrigals for Five Voices) published in 1603. It is written in a style consistent with the choral/vocal music of the high Renaissance, a much different style than one finds in the late books of madrigals by the same composer.

Editorial accidentals are enclosed in parentheses [ ( # ) etc ]. One note has been altered to correct a probable error (the original note is indicated in parentheses in measure 55). All expressive markings are suggestions from the editor.

K.F.

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