Haec dies

Simone Stella sets a vibrant Latin text for Easter celebrations. The motet opens with the jubilant declaration 'This is the day the Lord has made', a phrase brimming with Easter joy, and continues with 'let us rejoice and be glad in it', underscored by a triumphant alleluia. The composer's setting for SSA voices brings to life the exultant atmosphere of Christ's resurrection. The text further incorporates verses from scripture, including the Easter Sunday passage 'Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus' (Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good), the Easter Monday verse 'Dicant nunc Israel, quoniam bonus' (Let Israel now say, for he is good), and the Easter Tuesday verse 'Dicant nunc, qui redempti sunt a Domino' (Let those now say who have been redeemed by the Lord). Stella's motet is a powerful musical expression of this most joyous feast.