Tua est potentia

The Medici Codex, a special wedding gift of the Renaissance

Boyleau In principio erat verbum

The Pope

C.Festa Angelus ad pastores ait

J. de La Fage Elisabeth Zachariae

A.Willaert Beatus Johannes

Josquin O admirabile commercium

Anonimo Virgo Dei genitrix

The King 

J.Mouton Exalta regina Galliae

Domine, salvum fac regem

The Bride

 A.Brumel Sicut lilium

A.Willaert Virgo gloriosa

Intercessio quaesumus

L’Homme Armé
Conductor Fabio Lombardo

The Medici Codex represents a unique case of a musical codex used as wedding gift. The Codex was commisioned by Pope Leone X (Giovanni de’ Medici, the son of Lorenzo the Magnificent), the first Medici Pope, as gift for the marriage of Lorenzo de’ Medici, Duke of Urbino, and Madeleine de la Tour d’Auvergne, that was celebrated in Florence in 1518. The collection, that comprises 53 motets, contains many symbolic references to the ultimate purpose of the gift: that is the diplomatic effort to reinforce the bond between the the Kingdom of France and the Medici family papacy.

The concert programme, based on a selection of the most beautiful motets of the Codex, presents pieces that are connected with the three main figures of this event: the Pope, the groom and bride and the King of France thus creating an unprecedented musical polyptych.

Ensemble: 10 singers