Bianca neve è il bel collo (Orlando di Lasso)

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• (Posted 2023-09-09)  CPDL #75283:        (LilyPond)

Editor: Allen Garvin (submitted 2023-09-09).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 70 kB   Copyright: CC BY NC

Edition notes:

• (Posted 2015-04-28)  CPDL #35223:         

Editor: Pothárn Imre (submitted 2015-04-28).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 71 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Original pitch (chiavi naturali) and note-values. Alto part is in tenor clef.

General Information

Title: Bianca neve è il bel collo
Composer: Orlando di Lasso
Lyricist: Ludovico Ariosto Orlando Furioso Canto VII ottava 14.

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1573 in Viersprachendruck, no. 22
Description: This section of Canto VII describes the beauty of the sorceress Alcina. Argus of course refers to Argus the all-seeing, often depicted or described as 'the hundred-eyed'.

Original text and translations

Italian text Bianca neve è il bel collo, e 'l petto latte; il collo è tondo, il petto colmo e largo: due pome acerbe, e pur d'avorio fatte, vengono e van come onda al primo margo, quando piacevole aura il mar combatte. Non potria l'altre parti veder Argo: ben si può giudicar che corrisponde a quel ch'appar di fuor quel che s'asconde.

English translation Snow-white is her fair neck, and her breast like milk; her neck is shapely, her bosom full and broad: like two young apples, fashioned of ivory, they rise and fall like a wave on the shore's edge when a pleasant breeze stirs the sea. Not even Argus could spy the other parts: one may well judge that that which is concealed corresponds to what appears without. Translation by Allen Garvin