Felix illa dies

Jacob Meiland was a German composer of the late Renaissance. He wrote Felix illa dies for SSATB voices in Latin. The text is secular, with the title translating to 'Happy that day, night thrice happier'. It describes a day and night of great joy, associated with the embrace of a man named Magdalena and remembrance of Christophori, evoking salvation, love, and hope. This part-song exemplifies the rich tradition of secular vocal music from the period, offering a complex and emotive text set for an experienced choir. The intricate vocal lines and harmonic language would have been typical of chamber music for discerning audiences of the time.