The friendly day shines forth

Here’s what’s been running through my head ever since the election was called for Biden/Harris: “Exsultate, jubilate”, the motet by Mozart. If you don’t know why, here’s a translation of the lyrics:

Rejoice, resound with joy,
o you blessed souls,
singing sweet songs,
In response to your singing
let the heavens sing forth with me.

The friendly day shines forth,
both clouds and storms have fled now;
for the righteous there has arisen
an unexpected calm.
Dark night reigned everywhere [before];
arise, happy at last,
you who feared till now,
and joyful for this lucky dawn,
give garlands and lilies with full right hand.

You, o crown of virgins,
grant us peace,
Console our feelings,
from which our hearts sigh

Alleluja, alleluja

Mozart wrote the piece for a castrato, but these days it’s mostly sung by women. One of my favorites is Cecilia Bartoli, so here she is.