Faulte d'argent

Imagine a lively gathering in a Renaissance court, where sophisticated chanson settings of witty French poetry would have been enjoyed. Pierre de Manchicourt's Faulte d'argent is a prime example of such secular part-music, demanding a large choir of SSAATTBB and SSTTTTBB for its rich sonorities. The text laments the woes of poverty, particularly its impact on relationships, noting how a lack of money brings unparalleled sorrow and forces one into silence. It even humorously suggests that a sleeping woman can be awakened by the clinking of coins, highlighting the power of wealth. This substantial work offers a wonderful opportunity for choirs to explore the expressive harmonies and intricate vocal interplay characteristic of 16th-century French secular song.