Chi dirà mai

This secular villanella for SATB voices is a charming example of Neapolitan part-music from the Renaissance. The composer, Baldassare Donato, sets a text that humorously laments the fickleness of women. The lyrics suggest that any claim of constancy in a woman is folly, and that as women age, their desires become more erratic and their fantasies change. The composer emphasizes that love for these women is a great sin, as in youth they are cruel and discourteous, driven by beauty. It's a lighthearted piece, suitable for a concert program seeking vocal charm and a touch of wit from the period.