Sophia nasci fertur, an anonymous Christmas work from the Codex Speciálník (special songbook of the 15th century from a monastery in the Prague region). The first time we sang this piece I had it going around in my head for ages afterwards, there is something very elemental and striking about it.
Performed by Lumina Vocal Ensemble, Musical Director Anna Pope
Recorded live in concert:
'A Mediæval Celebration'
Adelaide Fringe Festival, 2011
by
Rosemary Beal, 5mbs
Barr Smith Library,
University of Adelaide.

Singers:
Rachel Sag
Beth Christian
Raphaela Mazzone
Rosemary Byron-Scott
Kate Tretheway
Fiona O'Connor
Melinda Pike
Anna Pope
Tim Muecke
Bernard Mageean
Evan Sanders
Clive Conway
Kenneth Pope
Andrew McCauley

Text:
TRIPLUM
Sophia nasci fertur singula cuidam obtulere mistica fruencia in laude pariter Caspar mirram donavit, thus Melchior comparavit, Balthasar aurum
tria munialia voluntavit
ovantes cuius gracia
tres magi divinum
adoravere per Mariam virginem.
DUPLUM
O quam pulchra racio pastores mox videbant que de celi palacio signa apparebant per Mariam virginem.
TENOR
Magi videntes stellam
dixerunt ad invicem:
'Hoc signum magni regis est
eamus et inquiramus eum
et offeramus ei munera.'

English Translation:
Wisdom is said to be born specially in each of us, but to bear equally valuable mystic fruits. In the same way Caspar bore myrrh, Melchior frankincense and Balthasar gold - three gifts from three wise men, to the divine child who inspired them, born of the Virgin Mary.
What a beautiful message. The shepherds immediately came to see the treasure from the heavenly realm revealed through the Virgin Mary.
(Tenor)
The wise men saw the star and said to each other:
'This is news of a great king.
Let us go and look for him, to offer our gifts.'

www.luminavocal.com.au

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