This edition was prepared by Allen Garvin — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Chi chi li chi
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals, Villanellas
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3 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Chi chi li chi by Andrea Gabrieli — Lyrics
Chi chilichi? Cucurucu!
U, scontienta, U, beschina,
U, sportunata, me Lucia!
Non sienta Martina galla cantara?
Lassa canta, possa clepare!
Porca te, piscia sia cicata!
Ia dormuta, tu scitata.
Ba con dia, non bo più per namolata.
Tutta la notte tu dormuta
Mai a me tu basciata
Cucurucu! Cucurucu!
Che papa la sagna
Metter’ ucelli entr’ a gaiola
Cucurucu, cucurucu!
Leva da loco, Piglia Zampogna
Va sonando per chissa cantuna.
Lirum li, lirum li
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About Chi chi li chi
Andrea Gabrieli's Chi chi li chi is a lively secular piece for SSATBB voices, sung in Neapolitan dialect. It belongs to the tradition of Italian madrigals and villanellas, often featuring playful and rustic themes. The text, though colourful and colloquial, expresses a sense of playful exasperation and longing. The characters seem to be engaged in a humorous, perhaps slightly quarrelsome, exchange, with exclamations and calls for music to be played. This work would suit a choir looking for something spirited and characterful, offering a glimpse into the vibrant popular musical culture of the Renaissance.
