Joannes est nomen eius

The words of this motet are taken from the Gospel of Luke, describing the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. The text tells us that his name is John, that he shall drink no wine, and that many will rejoice at his birth. Orlando di Lasso, a master of Renaissance polyphony, sets this sacred Latin text for SATB choir. The music reflects the joyful and miraculous nature of the event, with Lasso's characteristic skill in weaving together the vocal lines to create a rich and expressive whole. This motet is a fine example of sacred music from the late 16th century, offering a profound musical interpretation of a significant biblical narrative.