À ce matin

Orlando di Lasso, a towering figure of the late Renaissance, wrote this secular chanson for SATB voices. It is a delightful exploration of earthly pleasures, where the speaker imagines a perfect morning. The text speaks of a hearty breakfast featuring good salted ham and a full bottle of wine, accompanied by a warm fire and a beautiful companion. However, the poem humorously concludes that while all these things are enjoyable, the most important element is having money. Lasso’s setting captures the lighthearted, almost witty, sentiment of the French lyrics, making it a charming addition to any programme of secular Renaissance part-music.