Citera: Gregorio Allegri: Miserere Mei Deus, 1638, based upon Psalm 51 (complete and unabridged video). Patrick Husson, 1st soprano, echo choir. This is the only recording that I have heard where the high, solo phrase is sung in one breath as a castrato could, their being known to have had far greater breath capacity than even most adult men, let alone a boy soprano. Colmar Boys Choir School, Alsace (with adult males.) It is reported that this composition was so highly regarded by the Vatican that no copies of the score were permitted to be given to anyone else; however, in 1769, W.A. Mozart heard this twice at age 12 at the Vatican and wrote down the work from memory, thereby permitting the rest of the world to enjoy this exquisite musical experience.) |