The purpose of this study is to examine the songs Tre Sonetti del Petrarca by Ildebrando Pizzetti. Effort is made to provide the performer with musical and poetic analyses to aid him in the preparation and interpretation of the songs. A consideration of the development of Italian solo song from 1822 to 1950 and brief biographical sketches of both the composer and the author of the text are included as background material. It is assumed that a detailed examination of the music and poetry will lead to a more meaningful expression in performance.