Astiterunt reges terrae (Carlo Gesualdo)

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• CPDL #17929:

Editor: Diana Thompson (submitted 2008-08-17).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 60 kbytes   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)