“A Single Song, In the Libertine” is a four-section piece. The only text appears in bass part but by studying the composition, we can say that it was probably thought for being a chorus. “The Libertine” is indeed a divertimento of two airs (ensembles and choirs) which was composed around 1692 and based on a T. Shadwell’s text. It can be easily compared to fifty or so works which belong to the same genre and which were written between 1680 and 1695 for theatrical performances. There are two points we have to respect to give to this piece a pleasurable sensation of happiness: distinction in diction and flexibility in representation of vocal lines.
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