Introduction To The Triumphs Of Oriana
First published in year 1601, a collection of 25 English madrigals written by 23 composers and compiled by Thomas Morley, The Triumphs of Oriana is a delicate gift dedicated to Queen Elizabeth I of England, including the most loved madrigals such as Thomas Weelkes’ ‘As Vesta Was From Latmos Hill Descending’, John Wilbye’s ‘The Lady Oriana’, John Bennet’s ‘All Creatures Now’. The most interesting feature of these madrigals is that each madrigal ends with the refrain ‘then sang(sing) the shepherds and Nymphs of Diana: Long live fair Oriana’. ( Oriana or Gloriana is the royal nickname for Queen Elizabeth I. )
You can listen to some tracks listed online. You’d better take a look at the complete online music playlist first.
Madrigal List:
5-voice Madrigals
01. Michael East (c.1580-1648): Hence Stars! Too dim of light
02. Daniel Norcombe (1576-before 1626): With angel’s face
03. John Mundy (c.1529-?1591): Lightly she whipped o’er the dales
04. Ellis Gibbons (1573-?1603): Long live fair Oriana (Hark, did you ever hear?)
05. John Bennett (c.1575-80; fl.1599-1644): All Creatures now are merry-minded
06. John Hilton (?-c.1608): Fair Oriana, beauty’s queen
07. George Marson (c.1573-1632): The nymphs and the Shepards danced
08. Richard Carlton (c.1558-?1638): Calm was the air and clear the sky
09. John Holmes (?-1629): Thus Bonny-boots the birthday celebrated
10. Richard Nicholson (fl.1595; d.1639): Sing, shepherds all, and in yourrounde lays
11. Thomas Tompkins (1572-1656): The fauns and satyrs tripping
12. Michael Cavendish (c.1565-1628): Come, gentle swains and shepherds’ dainty daughters
13. William Cobbold (1560-1639): With wreaths of rose and laurel
14. Thomas Morley (1557/8-1602): Arise, awake, awake
6-voice Madrigals
15. John Farmer (c.1570; fl.1591/1601): Fair nymphs I heard one telling
16. John Wilbye (1574-1638): The lady Oriana
17. Thomas Hunt (fl. c.1600): Hark! Did ye ever hear so sweet a singing?
18. Thomas Weekles (1576-1623): As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending
19. John Milton (c.1563-1647): Fair Orian, in the morn
20. Ellis Gibbons: Round about her chariot, with all-admiring strains
21. George Kirbye (?-1634): With Angel’s face and brightness
22. Robert Jones (fl.1597-1615): Fair Oriana, seeming to wink at folly
23. John Lisley (?): Fair Cytherea presents her doves; Minerva sweetly singeth
24. Thomas Morley: Hard by a crystal Fountain
25. Edward Johnson (fl.1562-1601): Come, blessed bird and with thy sugared relish
Sample pages:
1. Original Menu
2. Soprano I Part's Cover
3. Soprano I Part (01. East: Hence Stars! Too dim of light)