Astiterunt reges terrae (Carlo Gesualdo)
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- CPDL #17929:
- Editor: Diana Thompson (submitted 2008-08-17). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 60 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: Astiterunt reges terrae
Composer: Carlo Gesualdo
Number of voices: 6vv Voicing: SSATTB
Genre: Sacred, Motet
Language: Latin
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Gesualdo, 1611
Description: Response no. 7 of the Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday
External websites:
Original text and translations
Latin text
Astiterunt reges terrae,
et principes convenerunt in unum,
adversus Dominum et adversus Christum eius.
Versus: Quare fremuerunt gentes,
et populi meditati sunt inania?
[Adversus Dominum]
Source: Vulgate, Psalms 2
These lines from Psalm 2 are also quoted verbatim in the New
Testament at Acts 4:25-26. Note that the sequence of the lines in the musical text as quoted
here is different from the biblical order.
English translation
Translation supplied by Paul Pascal, Professor Emeritus of Classics, University of Washington
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord, and against his anointed.
Verses: Why do the heathen rage,
and the people imagine a vain thing?
(translation based on the King James version; one might wish to change their "vain thing" to the plural, as in the Latin)