J'aime la pierre précieuse

Orlando di Lasso, a master of Renaissance polyphony, composed this secular chanson in French. Scored for SATTB voices, it explores themes of worldly treasure and refined pleasure. The text praises precious stones, gold, and honest sufficiency, but ultimately declares a purer love for Antoinette's virtues. Lasso weaves these sentiments into a rich, imitative texture that highlights the beauty of both the text and the music. The chanson provides a charming example of the secular part-music composed during the 16th century, showcasing both textual wit and musical craftsmanship for a mature choir.