“Miserere Mei, Deus”. Composed By: Gregorio Allegri. Sung By: Tenebræ. Musical Director: Nigel Short.

“Miserere Mei, Deus”.

Composed By: Gregorio Allegri.

Sung By: Tenebræ.

Musical Director: Nigel Short.

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Miserere (full title: Miserere Mei, Deus, Latin for “Have mercy on me, O God”) is a setting of Psalm 51 (Psalm 50 in the Latin Vulgate) by Italian composer Gregorio Allegri.

It was composed during the reign of Pope Urban VIII, probably during the 1630s, for the exclusive use of the Sistine Chapel during the Tenebrae services of Holy Week, and its mystique was increased by unwritten performance traditions and ornamentation.

It is written for two choirs, of five and four voices, respectively, singing alternately and joining to sing the ending in 9-part polyphony.