Di virtù di costumi (Cipriano de Rore)

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(Posted 2019-01-20) CPDL #52968:

Editor: Allen Garvin (submitted 2019-01-20). Score information: Letter, 6 pages, 133 kB Copyright: CC BY NC

Edition notes: Parts available at http://dfwviols.com/new/2019-01-20-01/.

(Posted 2019-01-05) CPDL #52824: (MIDI)

Editor: Pothárn Imre (submitted 2019-01-05). Score information: A4, 6 pages, 137 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transcribed from 1557 print. Original key (chiavi naturali) and note values. Alto is in transposed violin clef. Italian spelling modernised.

General Information

Title: Di virtù di costumi
Composer: Cipriano de Rore
Lyricist:

Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SATTB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1557 in Il quarto libro de madrigali a cinque voci, no. 9
Description: Two-part madrigal:
I. Di virtù di costumi
II. Così'l mio stil

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian text

Di virtù di costumi e di valore
D'onestà singular e leggiadria
Mostrar l'orecchie al cor la donna mia
U' dentro la scolpì subito amore

Vide la non sol tal per gli occhi il core
Ma bell'ancor più ch'altra donna sia
Saggia oltra modo ed a me tanto pia
Ch'io vivo sol del suo divin splendore

Così'l mio stil qual fè la sua bellezza
Sue virtude agguagliasse onde assimiglia
Supreme Dea non già donna mortale

Ch'eterne le mie rime andrien di tale
Onor di tal mia gioia e tal sua altezza
Ch'eccederebbon ogni maraviglia

German translation

An Tugend, Benehmen, Wert,
Ehrbarkeit und Anmut einzigartig
erweisen die Ohren dem Herzen meine Dame,
worin sie Amor sofort eingeprägt hat.

Doch nicht nur so sieht sie mein Herz mit den Augen,
sondern auch schöner als jede andere Dame,
klug über jedes Maß und zu mir so gütig,
dass ich nur von ihrem göttlichen Glanze lebe.

So möge meine Poesie, wie es ihre Schönheit tat,
ihren Tugenden sich angleichen, weshalb er sie vergleicht
eher mit einer höchsten Gottheit als mit einer sterblichen Frau.

Mögen ewig werden meine Verse von solchem Ruhm,
meiner Freude und ihrer Erhabenheit,
dass sie jedes Wunder übersteigen.

Translation by Gerhard Weydt

English translation

Of virtue, manners, value,
honesty and grace singular
my ears show my lady to my heart,
wherein Love has quickly sculpted her.

Not only thus my heart sees her through the eyes,
but also beautiful more than any other lady,
wise beyond measure, and so kind to me,
that I only live off her divine radiance.

Hence my poetry, as did her beauty,
shall equal her virtues, wherefore it likens her
to a supreme goddess, and not a mortal woman.

So my verses shall become eternal, that speak
of such honour, of my joy and such loftiness,
that they surpass any wonder.