Aegra

Orlando di Lasso was a prolific composer of the late Renaissance, renowned for his madrigals, motets, and chansons. Aegra is a secular work for double choir (SS,TT), a genre that often explored witty or dramatic texts. The Latin lyrics speak of a sick woman who runs to the doctor bearing aromatic herbs and is cured of her many ailments by his words. Lasso's setting likely captures the narrative with a sophisticated interplay of voices, characteristic of his mastery in weaving together complex polyphonic lines. This piece offers a glimpse into the secular vocal music of the period, showcasing both textual storytelling and contrapuntal skill.