La Virginella (William Byrd)
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- CPDL #04675:
Sibelius 4
- Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2003-03-23). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 118 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Revised Jan 09
General Information
Title: La Virginella
Composer: William Byrd
Lyricist: Ludovico Ariosto
Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SATTB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal
Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella
Published: Psalmes, sonets, & songs... (1588), no. 24
Description: Byrd's setting of this and the following stanza in English may be found at The fair young virgin
External websites:
Original text and translations
Italian text
La virginella è simil’ alla rosa,
ch’in bel giardin sula nativa spina,
Mentre sola è sicura si riposa,
Ne gregge, ne pastor se le avicina:
L’aura soave & l’alba rugiadosa,
L’acqua, la terra, al s’uo favor s’inchina:
Giovani vaghi, e donn’ inamorate,
Amano haverne è seni e tempie ornate.
- Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1535): Orlando Furioso, Canto I, stanza 42
English translation
The fayre yong Virgin is lyke the rose untaynted,
in garden fayre while tender stalke doth beare it,
sole and untoucht, with no resort acquainted,
No shepherd nor his flock doth once come neare it,
th’ayre full of sweetnesse, the morning fresh depainted,
the earth, the water, with all theyr favours cheare it,
daintie yong gallants, and ladyes most desired,
delight to have therewith their heads and breasts attyred.
- as set by Byrd in Musica Transalpina (1588)