Regina caeli [223]

Adrian Willaert

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RC223 Regina coeli 6 vv ; 2.p. Resurrexit 6 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

[1] Regina coeli

Polyphonic ensemble SATBXX

D-C1; A-C3; T-C4; Q-C4; Sx-C4; B-F4. Entire range, F-d’’. Chant (App. 3) provides a structural core in a resolved canon in inversion[1] at the distance of three breves between T and Q. Willaert constructed a segmented cantus firmus in which a textual phrase (“quia…meruisti) or word (“resurrexit”) is reiterated; restatement of “portare” and the final “alleluia” justifiably replicates the respected double melismas. Additionally, anticipatory and imitative statements of chant appear in other voices. Three overlapping layers of contrasting activity are clearly defined: a middle layer (T and Q) in longer note values within a narrow range (f-d’) and two outer layers (D/A and Sx/B) both of which envelop the middle layer but include contrapuntal interaction within the specific layer as well as with a voice or voices of the other layer. Although several e-flats are notated, additional editorial insertions are required to avoid tritones or augmented octaves. A declamatory text setting prevails. Final F, b♭ signature.

1. Canonic procedures are frequently applied to Regina caeli; however, this is the only setting of a seasonal Marian antiphon that includes a resolved canon in inversion.
[2] Resurrexit

Polyphonic ensemble SATBXX

Associated people

Adrian Willaert - Composer

Creation place and date

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Associated sources

Sung texts

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Regina caeli laetare, alleluia;
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia,
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

***

The Trope:

Alle Domine nate matris Deus alme nobis confer praestaque vivere:
Quam [quoniam] te decet laus honor O Domine qui de morte surgebas rex pie:
Fac nos tecum surgere, alleluia.

Bibliography

Modern editions

No information.

References

No information.

Contributors

Harry Elzinga - Project manager ; Scientific editor

Ailin Arjmand - Collaborative work

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https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1772/

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Regina caeli [223], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1772/] (accessed 23 January 2026).

Last modification: Nov. 21, 2025