Arcadelt - Il Bianco e dolce cigno, arr. Lucyanne Gordon for Women's Chorus
Arcadelt - Il Bianco e dolce cigno, arr. Lucyanne Gordon for Women's Chorus
The Renaissance Madrigal Masterpiece — For Treble and Women's Chorus
Jacques Arcadelt (c. 1507–1568) composed Il Bianco e dolce cigno ("The White and Gentle Swan") around 1538, and it became one of the most celebrated madrigals of the entire Renaissance — reprinted more than fifty times in the 16th century alone. Its exquisite interplay of voices, bittersweet text, and perfectly balanced polyphony have made it a touchstone of early choral literature for nearly five centuries.
This edition presents the madrigal in an arrangement by Lucyanne Gordon for treble and women's chorus, bringing this Renaissance gem within reach of high school, collegiate, and community women's choruses. Gordon's adaptation preserves the delicate balance and expressive nuance of Arcadelt's original in writing that lies naturally and beautifully in the treble voice — an ideal introduction to Renaissance choral style for any women's ensemble.
Performance Highlights
- One of the most celebrated madrigals of the Renaissance — reprinted 50+ times in the 16th century
- Exquisite polyphony and bittersweet expressivity
- Arranged by Lucyanne Gordon for treble and women's chorus
- Ideal for choral festivals, Renaissance programs, and concert repertoire
- Digital PDF download — print-ready score included
About the Arranger
Lucyanne Gordon holds a BM in Music Education from SUNY College at Fredonia, a Masters in Choral Conducting with an emphasis in Vocal Performance from Bowling Green State University, and a Doctorate of Arts from the University of Northern Colorado with secondaries in Vocal Performance and Theory/Composition. She served as Interim Director of Choral Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado in 2008–9, teaching choral methods and conducting, and directing the UNC Madrigal Singers and the 100-voice Women's Choir. Currently, she teaches voice and choir at Nardin Academy High School in Buffalo, NY, where the Nardin Academy Choir — composed of students in grades 9–12 — has earned a Gold with Distinction award at the highest NYSSMA difficulty level for three consecutive years. Her arrangements and compositions arise from a desire to expand the quality repertoire available for treble choirs.