Chi chi li chi

This lively secular villanella by Orlando di Lasso, written for SSATTB voices in Neapolitan dialect, offers a charmingly rustic scene. The text playfully depicts a hen's insistent crowing, contrasted with the singer's exasperated and colourful responses. The words express frustration at being ignored by a lover, who is perhaps asleep or indifferent, while the hen continues its noisy calls. The musical setting captures the text's boisterous humour and lighthearted character, making it a delightful choice for a choir looking to explore the vibrant tradition of Italian secular part-music.