Choral Evensong

Just back from Choral Evensong in The Hague. At the Friday practice we were dangerously short of male voices, but fortunately Christina had persuaded some good singers to join us tonight, so that surprisingly the sound was now well-balanced because of these trained extra voices.

The psalm had an unusual chant. What I really loved was the anthem, Tribus Miraculis by Luca Marenzio. Here it is, sung a wee bit faster than we did. But I think it sounded good. I had only attended one single practice as I had been away, but loved singing it. For once the altos have interesting and challenging parts. It is a joyful anthem.

Latin text

Tribus miraculis ornatum,

diem sanctum colimus:

Hodie stella magos duxit ad praesepium:

Vinum ex aqua factum est adnuptias:

Hodie a Joanne Christus baptizari voluit,

ut salvaret nos,

Alleluia.

English translation
       

We solemnly observe this day ornamented with three miracles:

today the star led the magi to the manger;

today wine was made from water at the wedding;

today Christ desired to be baptized by John in the river Jordan so that He might save us, :alleluia.