Guillaume Costeley was the organist of Charles IX of France. The major part of his vocal compositions was gathered in a booklet published in 1570. He wrote courteous songs but also more official ones and set to music texts by Pierre de Ronsard. Like his contemporary Roland de Lassus, he wrote songs of rustic style. “Quand le berger vit la bergère” has some characteristics of this light and energetic style Pierre Attaingnant and Nicolas du Chemin published a lot. This song requires to be sung lightly and to be enjoyed, with some ironic and enhanced sections.
