Il estoit une religieuse

Orlando di Lasso paints a lively scene in this secular French chanson for SATB voices. The text tells a humorous story about a nun from the Order of the Ave Maria who is so devoted to the Pater Noster that she links her body to it. When the abbess inquires, the nun and her Pater Noster explain that the Pater and Ave are strung together in one rosary. Lasso’s setting captures the wit and charm of the tale with engaging vocal interplay, characteristic of the Renaissance chanson tradition. This is a delightful and characterful piece, ideal for choirs looking for engaging French repertoire.