In recent years, the Concert Choir has toured in Budapest, Vienna, and Lausanne, and performed in numerous collaborations with the smaller MIT Chamber Chorus, the MIT Symphony Orchestra, the MIT Wind Ensemble, the choirs of Brown, Tufts and Brandeis Universities, and the orchestras of Tufts University and Wellesley College. In 2002, the MIT Concert Choir was invited to perform with the Boston Pops under Keith Lockhart for MIT's Tech Night at the Pops. Often featuring the finest guest soloists along with student soloists, the student singers of the group regularly expose the MIT community to a wide range of choral music literature.
O Fortuna
MIT Concert Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Velut luna
Statu variabilis,
Semper crescis
Aut decrescis;
Vita detestabilis
Nunc obdurat
Ludo mentis aciem,
Egestatem,
Potestatem
Dissolvit ut glaciem.
Sors immanis
Et inanis,
Rota tu volubilis,
Status malus,
Vana salus
Semper dissolubilis,
Obumbrata
Et velataMichi quoque niteris;
Nunc per ludum
Dorsum nudum
Fero tui sceleris.
Sors salutis
Et virtutis
Michi nunc contraria,
Est affectus
Et defectus
Semper in angaria.
Hac in hora
Sine mora
Cordum pulsum tangite;
Quod per sortem
Sternit fortem,
Mecum omnes plangite!
The lyrics to the MIT Concert Choir's "O Fortuna" are a powerful reflection on the fickle nature of fate and the human condition. The opening line, "Fortuna imperatrix mundi," roughly translates to "Fortune, Empress of the World," setting the stage for a lament on the capriciousness of luck and destiny. In the following verses, the moon is used as a metaphor for the variability of life, which can either rise or fall at any given moment. This is further emphasized by the description of life as "detestable," suggesting a sense of bitterness and despair.
The second stanza focuses on the concept of fate, which is described as an "immense and empty" force that constantly revolves like a wheel. The "bad state" and "vain salvation" that it offers are fleeting and unreliable, overshadowed by its ominous presence. Furthermore, the singer feels personally targeted by fate's actions, which they describe as a "game" that exposes them in their vulnerability. The final lines appeal to the universality of this sentiment, inviting all to join in sorrow at the cruel consequences of fate.
Line by Line Meaning
Fortuna imperatrix mundi
Fortune, the all-powerful ruler of the world
Velut luna
Like the Moon
Statu variabilis, Semper crescis Aut decrescis;
Ever-changing; you are always growing or shrinking
Vita detestabilis Nunc obdurat Et tunc curat Ludo mentis aciem, Egestatem, Potestatem Dissolvit ut glaciem.
In life, fortune can harden you or cure your troubles. It can sharpen your mind, shatter your poverty, and break your power like ice.
Sors immanis Et inanis,
The cruel and empty fate
Rota tu volubilis, Status malus, Vana salus Semper dissolubilis, Obumbrata Et velataMichi quoque niteris;
You, the ever-turning wheel, bring both bad life situations and false hope which can dissolve at any moment. Although you obscure and veil your intentions, you nevertheless continue to oppose me.
Nunc per ludum Dorsum nudum Fero tui sceleris.
Now through this game, I bear the naked back of your villainy.
Sors salutis Et virtutis Michi nunc contraria, Est affectus Et defectus Semper in angaria.
The fate of health and strength are now against me, with influences and failures always weighing me down.
Hac in hora Sine mora Cordum pulsum tangite; Quod per sortem Sternit fortem, Mecum omnes plangite!
This hour, without delay, strike the heart; because of fate, it strikes down the strong. Mourn with me, everyone!
Contributed by Alexander M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.