Hic est vere martyr

Antonio Cifra was a prolific composer of sacred and secular music in the early Baroque period. This motet, Hic est vere martyr, is written for double choir (SATB.SATB), allowing for rich antiphonal effects and complex contrapuntal textures. The Latin text, which translates to 'This is truly a martyr', celebrates a saint and martyr, a common theme in sacred music of this era. Cifra's setting would have been performed in a liturgical context, showcasing the power and grandeur of the double choir as a vehicle for devotional expression. The motet's structure and harmonic language are typical of its time, aiming to convey the solemnity and triumph inherent in the lives of the saints.