Gregorio Allegri

Italian Renaissance Composer and Priest

Gregorio Allegri (1582–1652) was an Italian composer of the Roman School and a singer as well. He is best known for his work "Miserere mei, Deus," a setting of Psalm 51 that is often referred to simply as "Miserere." This piece gained fame for its ethereal beauty and the mystique surrounding its performance in the Sistine Chapel, where it was traditionally sung during Holy Week. The Vatican kept the music secret for many years, allowing it to be performed exclusively in the Chapel, which added to its allure. The story goes that a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart transcribed it by memory after hearing it just once or twice, leading to its wider dissemination.