Orlande de Lassus is considered one of the most important and prolific composers of the Renaissance. His extensive oeuvre includes some 60 settings of the Mass, around 100 Magnificat compositions, more than 500 motets, and numerous secular pieces. During his lifetime, he received honorary titles such as princeps musicorum and was revered as "le divin Orlande." Nevertheless, his true significance may have been somewhat overshadowed by the sheer volume of his output and the presence of his contemporary, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. A modern complete edition of his motets would enhance the understanding of this genre.
Lassus was born in Mons in Hainaut and initially worked for the Gonzaga family before moving to Naples and eventually becoming maestro di cappella at the Lateran Basilica in Rome. He later transferred to the court of Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria, where he remained until his death in 1594. After his death, his sons continued the publication of his works and produced a nearly complete edition.
The Prophetiae Sibyllarum, one of his best-known works, was probably composed before 1560. This work exemplifies the shift from Pythagorean tuning to a system in which thirds and sixths are also perceived as pure. The Prophetiae Sibyllarum is considered particularly impressive and underscores Lassus's compositional brilliance.
The motet Tristis est anima mea, which musically depicts Christ's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, demonstrates Lassus's extraordinary ability to interpret text and mood musically. It is considered an outstanding example of the new musical aspirations of the late Renaissance.