Alma real, dignissima d'impero

Orlando di Lasso’s Alma real, dignissima d’impero is a secular Italian madrigal for SATB voices. The music unfolds with imitative entries and flowing melodic lines, creating a rich and expressive texture. The composer sets a poem that praises the noble qualities of its subject, describing their inherent worth and virtuous nature. The text speaks of a soul worthy of empire, possessing natural beauty and unmatched virtue, with customs and wisdom that bring eternal spring. Lasso’s masterful setting captures the elegance and refined sentiment of the Italian Renaissance madrigal, showcasing the intricate interplay between the four vocal parts to convey the poem’s admiration and profound respect.