Original leaf from a manuscript 18th century Gregorian chant in two colors on fine hand made paper. Latin text with black square-note music on a red four-line stave. (480 x 330mm - 19 x 13’’).
From an Antiphonal produced at a religious commune in Olbia, Italy, c. 1778 (dated and signed elsewhere in the manuscript by the scribe ''J. Coudounel'').
This leaf opens the Mass celebrating the Apostles and Evangelists. One large illuminated initial in red beginning the hymn: ''Exultet...'' (Let the round world with songs rejoice; let heaven return the joyful voice; all mindful of the Apostles’ fame, let heaven and earth their praise proclaim. You servants who once bore the light of gospel truth o’er heathen night, still may your work that light impart, to glad our eyes and cheer our heart. O God, by whom to them was given the key that shuts and opens heaven, our chains unbind, our loss repair, and grant us grace to enter there. For at thy will they preached the word which cured disease, which health conferred: O may that healing power once more, our souls to grace and health restore, That when your Son again shall come and speak the world’s unerring doom, he may with them pronounce us blessed, and place us in your endless rest. To you, O Father; Son, to you; to you, blessed Spirit, glory be! So was it ay for ages past, Amen. so shall through endless ages last. Amen).
Antiphonals contain chants for the canonical hours of the Divine Office: first vespers or the vigil of great feasts, matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers and compline. They were used by priests, monks and nuns in churches and religious enclaves. The large size allowed them to be seen by multiple members of a choral section.
Shipped unmatted
