Dulces exuviae (Adrian Willaert)
Music files
| ICON | SOURCE |
|---|---|
 |
File details |
 |
Help |
- CPDL #07719:
Finale 2004
- Editor: Art Levine (submitted 2004-08-05). Score information: Letter, 6 pages, 112 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: Dulces exuviae
Composer: Adrian Willaert
Lyricist: Virgil, Dido & Aeneas
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Ode
Language: Latin
Instruments: a cappella
Published:
Description: The text is a verbatim excerpt from the Aeneid, the epic poem by Virgil (Book IV, lines 651-658). Queen Dido, driven from her native city by her evil brother, the murderer of her husband, has founded the city of Carthage. The Trojan Aeneas, himself a refugee after the fall of his city, is shipwrecked off Carthage as he strives to fulfill his destiny, which is to found a city which will ultimately lead to the founding of Rome. Dido welcomes Aeneas hospitably. They then fall in love, and she considers herself to be married to him. When Aenaes, believing he is forced by the will of the gods, reluctantly abandons Dido, she prepares to commit suicide. She sees the bed she has shared with Aeneas, and some of his garments. She falls on the bed, kisses it, and then stabs herself there. The following are among Dido's last words. --Paul Pascal, Professor Emeritus of Classics, University of Washington
External websites:
Original text and translations
Original text and translations may be found at Dulces exuviae.