Talk:Fata la parte (Juan del Encina)

English translation

Byrt, thanks very much for kindly providing an English translation (that fast!) and a short description of this little gem! I’ve sung this piece once, and I only kept a faint idea of this cute ‘bad news’ story in mind. The King’s Singers only perform stanzas 1 and 3 on their ‘Madrigal History Tour’ album, so the song is much too short with them :-( Thanks for your contribution! Best—Robert Urmann 20:58, 20 August 2010 (UTC)

Dear Robert. It is indeed a beautifull little piece. We just added it to the repertoire of the vocal quartet I sing in and I can tell you that the real fun of the work appears when you put a little bit of acting in it. Stanzas 3 and 4 are actually the dialogue between Miçer Cotal and Don Españoleto, which we perform as bass and tenor solos respectively (with the rest of the quartet singing B.C.). I know the version of the King's Singer, but, although it is very well sung (how else, if by the King's Singers), I don't agree with their interpretation. They interpret "Fata la parte" as "close the door", a warning that everybody shoud be afraid, as there is a murderer in town. However the story is clearly about cuckoldry and nobody else is actually in danger (except Don Españoleto, of course). I really believe this work should be thought of as a gossip on the medival town market, a parody where is being laughed at Miçer Cotal, in spite of the tragedy that happened to his wife. I am glad you like it. Best, Byrt Bjanssen 21:26, 20 August 2010 (UTC)