The Sibyls were mythical women of ancient times with the gift of prophecy. They were a favorite motif in the visual arts during the Renaissance:...

The Sibyls were mythical women of ancient times with the gift of prophecy. They were a favorite motif in the visual arts during the Renaissance: the best known are Michelangelo's Sibyls in the ceiling frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Lasso's Prophetiae Sibyllarum was composed at the Munich court of Duke Albrecht V. The Duke prohibited the work's publication, thus making it the sole property of the Munich court. This "musica riservata" is noted for it's great compositional skill and sophisticated Latin texts - referring to Christmas events in this case. The VocalConsort Berlin supplements this half-hour work with additional motets by Lasso, also associated with Christmas celebrations.