One of my favourite madrigals, by one of my favourite Renaissance composers, is Thomas Morley’s Aprill is in my Mistris face. The song is quite short, with the four parts crossing over each other, creating interesting harmonies. It was published in 1597 in Morley’s Madrigalls to Four Voyces.
Led by a very light soprano tune, seemingly an appreciation of his lover’s fresh beauty, the madrigal progresses through the seasons, seeming at first to build a positive picture of his mistress, first comparing her face to April - fresh and beautiful, like a Spring day.
July, a month of warmth and passion, is in her eyes.
September, a time of maturity, is in her bosom.
But in the final line the key changes as her true personality is revealed:
‘But in her heart, a cold December.’
Ouch!