Che più d'un giorno

Orlando di Lasso’s setting of Italian words by Petrarch offers a profound meditation on the brevity and fragility of human life. Sung by a rich SATTB choir, this secular madrigal poignantly questions the value of mortal existence, describing it as fleeting, dim, and filled with weariness. The text laments that while life may appear beautiful, it ultimately amounts to little. It speaks of how we mortals raise our heads in hope, yet remain ignorant of the true span of our lives, whether in living or dying. This piece would be an excellent, thought-provoking selection for a concert programme, offering a moment of philosophical reflection.