At times mysterious, prayerful, and jubilant, this fascinating setting contrasts four soloists singing the text in English alternately with the chorus, which sings it in Latin. This piece was written to follow Monteverdi's "Magnificat primo tuono a quattro voci da cappella" from the collection Selva morale spirituale. However this Nunc dimittis can be performed alone, in which case the antiphon may precede it.