Dulces exuviae

This anonymous Latin lament is set for a double choir of eight voices (ATTB, ATBB). The text, a powerful expression of longing and regret, is drawn from Virgil's Aeneid, spoken by the queen Dido as she contemplates her imminent death. The music reflects the dramatic poignancy of her words, with the intertwined vocal lines creating a rich and complex texture. The composer captures the sorrow of the abandoned queen, lamenting a life that was once glorious but is now overshadowed by betrayal and impending doom. The piece ends with Dido's resigned acceptance of death, finding solace only in the idea of dying alongside her lover.