In attempting to find a madrigal by Willaert I instead stumbled upon this Villanella, which is a light, Italian secular song originating in Naples (similar to the frottola). Perhaps the most interesting thing about this song is the lyrics, which are a meaning that I would not have guessed at all. Taken at face value the song is lewd and disrespectful to old women, however the "old woman" is in reality a personification of death. One way to attempt to overcome the fear of death is to mock or insult it. The version I found alternates between a four part vocal refrain, and a vocal solo with instrumental accompaniment for the verses. The refrain begins the song and returns after each verse. I think the words alone make this a worthwhile find...
LE VECCHIE PER INVIDIA SONO PAZZE
Le vecchie per invidia sono pazze,
dicendo quella bella malnasciuta.
come son pazze ‘ste vecchie canazze.
LE VECCHIE PER INVIDIA SONO PAZZE
Old maids are crazed with envy,
saying that fair maid is ill-bred.
These old hags are crazy
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