Felix namque es

Leonora d'Este's motet Felix namque es is a setting of a Marian antiphon in Latin. The text praises the Virgin Mary, noting that Christ our God, the sun of justice, was born of her. It then implores her to pray for the people, clergy, and devout women, so that all who celebrate her memory may feel her aid. This devotional text is set for a five-part choir, TTTTB, a distinctive voicing that allows for rich harmonic possibilities and careful attention to the devotional message. The composer's setting emphasizes the solemnity and grace of the liturgical text.