Singer, Composer. Born in Rome, he sang tenor at the Cathedral in Fermo from 1607 until 1628, when he joined Rome's prestigious Papal Choir. It was for this group that he composed his famous "Miserere" (c. 1636). It has been sung at the Sistine Chapel during Holy Week every year since. The Vatican refused to let Allegri publish the "Miserere" and its mysterious harmonies were kept a closely guarded secret until 1770, when a 14 year-old Wolfgang Mozart wrote it down from memory after hearing it only once. It was later acclaimed by the Romantics. Allegri also wrote several Masses and motets, and in 1618 he published a string quartet, 150 years before Haydn perfected the form. His tomb is in the Chiesa Nuova in Rome, the traditional burial place for Papal singers.
Singer, Composer. Born in Rome, he sang tenor at the Cathedral in Fermo from 1607 until 1628, when he joined Rome's prestigious Papal Choir. It was for this group that he composed his famous "Miserere" (c. 1636). It has been sung at the Sistine Chapel during Holy Week every year since. The Vatican refused to let Allegri publish the "Miserere" and its mysterious harmonies were kept a closely guarded secret until 1770, when a 14 year-old Wolfgang Mozart wrote it down from memory after hearing it only once. It was later acclaimed by the Romantics. Allegri also wrote several Masses and motets, and in 1618 he published a string quartet, 150 years before Haydn perfected the form. His tomb is in the Chiesa Nuova in Rome, the traditional burial place for Papal singers.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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