Homo erat in Jerusalem

Francesco de Layolle sets a Gospel text about Simeon, the devout man of Jerusalem who, by divine promise, would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. The text describes how Simeon took the infant Jesus into his arms in the Temple, blessing God for enabling his eyes to see the salvation of the world. The SATTB voicing allows for rich, resonant harmonies as the composer unfolds this profound moment of prophecy and recognition. The Latin text, a sacred motet, is treated with devotional care, with the music reflecting the peaceful acceptance of God's will expressed in Simeon's final canticle, Nunc dimittis.