Composer

:

Alfonso X (el Sabio)

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Average_duration

:

2:56

Cantiga de Santa María 406, also known as "Ben vennas, Mayo, e con alegria," was composed by Alfonso X (el Sabio) in the 13th century. The piece is part of a collection of over 400 songs dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as the Cantigas de Santa María. The premiere of the Cantigas de Santa María is not known, but they were likely performed in the royal court of Alfonso X in Seville, Spain. The collection is notable for its use of vernacular language, as opposed to the Latin used in religious music at the time. "Ben vennas, Mayo, e con alegria" is a joyful song celebrating the arrival of spring. The lyrics describe the beauty of the season, with flowers blooming and birds singing. The Virgin Mary is also praised, with references to her role as a mother and protector. The piece is written in Galician-Portuguese, a language spoken in the region of Galicia and Portugal during the Middle Ages. It is structured as a cantiga de amigo, a type of song that was popular in the Iberian Peninsula at the time. The melody is simple and repetitive, with a lively rhythm that reflects the joyful mood of the lyrics. "Ben vennas, Mayo, e con alegria" is divided into three stanzas, each with a refrain that repeats throughout the song. The first stanza describes the arrival of spring, with references to the blooming flowers and the singing birds. The second stanza praises the Virgin Mary, with references to her role as a mother and protector. The third stanza combines the themes of spring and the Virgin Mary, with a reference to the flowers as a symbol of Mary's beauty. Overall, "Ben vennas, Mayo, e con alegria" is a lively and joyful song that celebrates the arrival of spring and praises the Virgin Mary. Its use of vernacular language and simple melody make it accessible to a wide audience, and it remains a popular piece of medieval music to this day.

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