The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-05-13
A LEAF FROM MY JOURNAL.
TIE MlSERERE

The Papal blessing having been dispens-
cd from tho balcony of St. Peters, repair
ed to the Sistine Chapel, to obtain, if posi-
bic, hearing Of the world renowned Mis-
erere. found small company assembled
in the ante. .clambcr waiting for the open.
inc Of the door; groups Of Cardinals in the
meantime, in full costume, sweeping across
the apartment, and entering the Chapel by
a postern. After much delay the doors
were thrown open, and was fortunate as to
obtain a seat favorable for seeing and hear
! ING, and within twenty or thirty feet OF the !
orchestra. This is small gallery on one
side of the Chapel, partially concealed in
front by open scrcen-work. On the great
altar at the farther end, and beneath the
frcscoc of the Last Judgment, eight tall WAX
tapers were burning; and a little to tue
right was another, supporting fifteen sinai
Ter tapcrs, Of unequal height, disposed in
the form Of pyramid, which wero also
lighted. This description is necessary to
right understanding of the ceremonies to
follow. 1t was how near sunset; solemn
twilight pcrvaded the building, dcepened
by the murky state of the atmosphere, and
the absorption Of tho light by the frcscocd
walls.
The sacred College being assembled, and
seated in lorg row along the circumfer-
cncc of the Chapel, the chanting of the
Tenebr;c begins. This is composed Of fif-
teen pcnitcntial psalms; and is presumed
TO svmbolize the darkness over the land
from the sixth to the ninth hour. AT the
cud of each psalm, one of the fifteen tapcrs
is extinguished, beginning with the outside,
. and proceeding alternately till only the cen.
trail and talcst one is left; and near the
close, those on the high altar are also ex-
tinguished. The chanting Of the Tencbra.
> occupies about an hour and a half; and, if
the truth may be told, is growing tiresomc,
> when, rs it draws towards the close, it be-
gins to be expressive Of the desolation OF
~ tho man Of sorrows. All the parts arc now
gradually blended into one, and proceed in
= unison, in simple modulation repeated
y over and over, with little variety; the time
:. is accelerated, and the strain grows louder
= and louder still, swelling into amonotonous
!, - wailiug cry Of agony, thrilling and almost
=" terrific, till-"It is finished :"
Here tho music breaks off abruptly, and
silence and darkness reign, the last taper
having been removed, burning. The Car
= dinals rise from their seats, turn their face
10 to the wall, and knec in silent prayer. Two
!" or three minutes clapse when stream 0
melody on very high key, like the voice
H. of the clearest and softest clarionet, at frs
'"' barely audible through the stiffness, bu
lie swelling Till it rings like trumpet, prolong
SIS. ed seemingly, beyond the endurance Of an
,rs human breath, and then dying away in
nj diminuendo, announces the commencement
nv Of the Miserere.
id 1t would be useless to attempt descrir
he ton of this wonderful piece. 1t is suppo
ill ed to owe much of its celebrity to the e'
en- qu,site training and skill Of the unique pc
ed formers in the Sistinc Chapel; aud thi
is one can readily believe. The general e:
an preston is plaintivc and penitential; Il
nd movements are slow, the two altos aboun
ur ing in very high notes long sustained; tr
ap- and quartettcs are interrupted by SEN
ub. choral chants, and the whole ending in
ro- slow, solemn, subdued chorus, swelling ar
dying away.
ted In the person Of the leading alto, re
feet ognized the chief vocalist of the Pope
tier choir, whom had heard on other occasion
cri- but whose wonderful powers had nev
tho before heard fully developed. At least {
fifty feet in height, with spare figure and
de- chest, thin Iank, hair, yellow wrinkled Y
two age, and features not pleasing, but will
ork kindlng eye, he stood pouring forth
red. marvellous strains; Ills voice possessing
The the compass Of Malbran's and Crisis, W
clearer tone, and longer and moro equal
ono sustained as if The fountain Of songrw
,ino inexhaustble.
the The Miserere was composed for a pc
. ovo. liar class Of voices, to be found in no OF
r;ed Christian country than Italy. pNoSoth
and could do justice to its altos, which are $
g,ra able to neither man, woman, nor child .
six hence, all attemptsto produce it eIsewh
..l,v have been failures. Yet,2 ¬ altoget
-. from this cause. Anywhere else, I'll
must be wanting the collateral cire.
AND stancesgsnd surroundings. which, 10
,ilos-. sistine Chapel, appeal to the imagna
,e do in aid of. the legitimate effect Of the M,
A perfect as that may be. Among these,n
eten be taken into account the ant'c'pat'on,'
70 BE entertained, perhaps Of listening to 2 m
a | e. suall llad,