Dessus le marché d'Arras

Orlando di Lasso's SSATTB chanson Dessus le marché d'Arras opens with a lively interplay of voices, immediately setting a spirited mood. The French text, sung here in its original language, tells a simple story of a girl meeting a Spaniard at the market of Arras. He offers her money, but the refrain, a nonsensical yet catchy "Mireli, mirela bon bas", adds a playful, almost teasing quality to the encounter. This secular part-song, typical of the chansons of the Renaissance, showcases Lasso's mastery in creating engaging vocal textures and rhythmic vitality, making it a delightful and characterful choice for an accomplished choir.