I wish all of you a very Happy Easter.  Let it be musical.  The new Marian antiphon is the “Regina Cæli.”  Michel-Richard Delalande (or de Lalande) , whose “Regina Cæli” I selected, was the finest composer of French

• A Portrait of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (20 December 2011)

The second selection is Pergolesi’s French grands motets. The second selection is Pergolesi’s “Quando Corpus Morietur.”

Regina Cæli

The authorship of the Regina Cæli is unknown.  It was composed in the twelfth century and was in Franciscan use after Compline a century later.  According to Wikipedia, “legend has it that St Gregory the Great heard angels chanting the first three lines one Easter morning in Rome, while following barefoot in a great religious procession of the icon of the Virgin painted by Luke the Evangelist.  He was thereupon inspired to add the fourth line.”  (See Regina Cæli, Wikipedia.)

The Regina Cæli is one of the four Antiphons or Antiphonies (Anthems in the Anglican Church) dedicated to Mary.  It is sung during the Easter season.

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

For He whom you deserved to bear in your womb, alleluia.

Has risen, as He promised, alleluia.

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.

R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

 

 

Michel-Richard Delalande (15 December 1657 – 18 June 1726)

Regina Cæli

 

 

 

 

composer: Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (4 January 1710 – 16 March 1736)

piece: “Quando Corpus Morietur”

performers: Margaret Marshall, Soprano and Lucia Valentini Terrani, Contralto 

orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra (1985)

conductor: Claudio Abbado 

 

  

© Micheline Walker

31 March 2013

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