Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere mei

Gregorio Allegri (1582 - 1652) was a singer in the Papal Chapel from 6th December 1629, until his death on 17th February 1652. He is almost exclusively known for his falsobordone setting of Psalm 51 (Vulgate Psalm 50), the Miserere mei, despite numerous other worthy compositions. Most will know this choral work for its haunting top C, sung by one voice in a small choir, and the sweeping harmony of the larger choir, separated by simple plain chant, and also the myths surrounding its performance by the Sistine Chapel Choir. But Allegri's original is far removed from this received version, so what has happened over the years to transform the work?

History beguiles us with tales of secret ornamentation – the so called abbellimenti – never written down, but simply passed from performer to performer in the Papal Chapel. It was de rigeur for those on the Grand Tour in the 18th century to hear the work in the Sistine Chapel during Holy Week. Many have expounded on the piece's beauty and uniqueness. Several myths have grown up around the piece, such as the idea that the Pope forbade copying of the work, punishable by excommunication; and that the young Mozart supposedly copying the work after hearing it performed. Neither is true.

Although rumours of the work's inauthenticity abound, very few people have heard the work performed differently, and even fewer will be so bold as to suggest exactly what a replacement should be. That having been said, many people will prefer the ‘Top C’ version, and not care whether it is authentic or not.

My intention is to look firstly at the manuscript sources for this work in both the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana and the British Library, see how the piece has been written throughout its history, and then draw conclusions from the music alone. A few imponderables remain, for which I have surmised answers. Finally, editions are produced, to show in modern notation how the work would have been sung at various time in its history.

On to Manuscripts >>

EDITIONS

Ancient Groove Music is pleased to offer three different editions of Allegri's Miserere, reflecting the varied history of this work. We also offer the setting by Tommaso Bai, which features the same abbellimenti used by the Sistine Chapel Choir as those in Allegri's work.

1. A new performing edition created for The Sixteen by Harry Christophers & Ben Byram-Wigfield, showing the evolution of the work from simple fauxbourdon to the Top C version. The initial verses portray Allegri's original unadorned fauxbordon, then later verses detail the Sistine Chapel embellishments, before the final verses conclude with the ‘Top C’ version, best known today, which was never performed in Rome, but merely a serendipitous scribal error. | Buy copies |

A recording of The Sixteen performing this edition is available from The Sixteen website.

2. A scholarly edition as described here, providing a authentic rendering of the work as it was performed in the Sistine Chapel in the 17th and 18th century. £3.50 inc. post & packaging (within UK). | Buy copies |

3. Allegri's original setting, WITHOUT abbellimenti is offered as a free download.

4. The setting by Tommaso Bai (c.1650 - 1714), also composed to be sung in the Sistine Chapel, which uses the same abbellimenti. | Info | Buy copies |

We also have editions of other works by Allegri, including his Sinfonia for four strings.