Il estoit une fillette

Cornelius Canis’ Il estoit une fillette is a secular French chanson for four voices (STTB). The vocal parts weave together in imitative entries, creating a rich, contrapuntal texture. The text tells a charming, slightly risqué story of a young woman learning the art of love, who, after her initial experience, declares that while the first attempt was clumsy, the ending was delightful. The music effectively captures the playful and subtly witty character of the lyrics, making it a engaging example of Renaissance secular part-music.