Comtessa de Dia: A chantar, Sibil•la Ensemble

Comtessa (Beatriz) de Dia (c. 1140-1212)
A chantar m'er de so qeu no volria

"A chantar" is the only trobairitz (woman troubadour) song that survives accompanied by its music. In this canso, Comtessa de Dia expresses her deep pain and frustration over loving someone who does not reciprocate her feelings. Courtly unrequited love is a central theme in troubadour poetry.

Read more about women troubadours, Comtessa de Dia and "A chantar" on our blog: https://sibillaensemble.com/2024/12/2...

Sibil•la Ensemble: Kristia Michael (voice), Andrew Hopper (vielle).
Many thanks to NPO Klassiek, AVROTROS, Jana Houben for the invitation, Hannah Grout for the video and Rob Heerschop for the sound.

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"I must sing of what I'd rather not,
I'm so angry about him whose friend I am,
for I love him more than anything;
mercy and courtliness don't help me with him,
nor does my beauty, or my rank, or my mind;
for I am every bit as betrayed and wronged
as I'd deserve to be if I were ugly

It amazes me how prideful your heart is
toward me, friend, for which I'm right to grieve;
it isn't fair that another love take you away
because of any word or welcome she might give you.
And remember how it was at the beginning
of our love; may the Lord God not allow
our parting to be any fault of mine.

I especially want you, messenger, to tell him
that too much pride brings harm to many people."

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