LassusOrlande
Lassus was
born in Mons in what is present-day Belgium, but in his time the Low
Counties were ruled by various German/Flemish Dukes and Princes. His name is
often given in its Italian form, Orlando di
Lasso, and sometimes in its French
form, Rolande de Lassus. He travelled widely to France and Italy at a very early
age. He became one of the most famous of all renaissance
composers. In 1556 he went to Munich at the court of Duke Albrecht V, and stayed there
till he died.
He wrote a large quantity of both sacred and secular music.
His motet, Beatus vir qui in sapienta morabitur (Blessed the
man who dies in wisdom), is available for listening by clicking a row below, as
also is one of his secular madrigals Elle s'en va de moy (She goes
away from me).