A cosmopolitan composer who became so famous he was known as "The Divinde Orlando", this week Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Orlande de Lassus.

During the 1560's Lassus was busy not only developing musical activities and standards at the court of Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria in Munich, but also improving his own reputation as a composer. In 1562 Lassus was invited to the coronation of the new King of Bavaria and, for this occasion, he composed his motet, Pacis amans. It was during this period that Lassus also composed his famous six-part motet, Timor et tremor.

Lassus had now been appointed Director of Music at the Munich court, a position whose duties he'd been undertaking for some time. By 1568 Lassus was involved in another royal event, the wedding of the Duke's son, Wilhelm V. Lassus composed a Te Deum and entertained guests with his own singing, accompanying himself on the Lute. His motet, Edite Caesareo Boiorum, was also probably sung at the royal wedding. Show less