Domenico Bartolucci

Domenico Bartolucci (May 7 1917 - Rome, 11 November 2013 ) was a Cardinal, composer and choirmaster Italian . Master Perpetual of the Sistine Chapel Choir and academic of Santa Cecilia, is known in the field of music, both as a composer and conductor.

Considered among the most authoritative interpreters of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, he has made, with the choir of the Sistine Chapel, numerous performances around the world; has also directed numerous concerts with the Choir of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

Born into a working class family (his father worked in a furnace) came very young in the major seminary of Florence . His singing and music were quickly appreciated and encouraged. He began to compose his first harvest, the first motets, the organ music, the madrigals and chamber music. In 1939 he received the Holy Orders and graduated in composition. On the death of the master Bagnoli succeeded him as director of the Chapel of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

At the end of 1942 he went to Rome to deepen the knowledge of sacred music. After having served as deputy master of St. John Lateran, in 1947 he became master of the Liberian Musical Chapel of Santa Maria Maggiore as successor Licinio Refice. In 1952, on the advice of Lorenzo Perosi, master of the Sistine Chapel Choir "Sistine" from 1898, he was appointed assistant conductor. On the death of Perosi, which occurred in 1956, Pius XII gave him the job of permanent director of the Sistine Chapel.

In the years of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), against abandoning Latin, pledged that the liturgical reform does not take an address hostile to the sacred music. His references in music were the traditional polyphonic Palestrina and Gregorian chant. He continued to celebrate the Tridentine Mass even after the reform.

In 1997 it was replaced—thus contravening the papal appointment in perpetuity—driving the Sistine Choir by Msgr. Giuseppe Liberto, an event which caused some controversy in the context of liturgical music: you probably wanted to opt for an innovation of the style that best confacesse the celebration of Mass dear to John Paul II, and whose director was responsible Msgr. Piero Marini, master of pontifical liturgical celebrations, according to many of those responsible for its provision. Among those who were opposed to the decision was the most cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope, 24 June 2006 recalled him to conduct a concert in the Sistine Chapel.

In the consistory of 20 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to the dignity of cardinal at the age of 93 years, 6 months and 13 days. It was the cardinal appointed senior ever in the history of the Catholic Church. He was awarded the diakonia of Santissimi Names of Jesus and Mary in Via Lata.

He died on 11 November 2013 at the age of 96 years. The funeral was held on November 13 at 15.30 at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter's Basilica. The funeral liturgy was celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals. After Mass Pope Francis presided at the ceremony of last commendatio and valedictio.

The activity of the composer

Bartolucci was dedicated to teaching is that the composition. The body of work already published more than forty books and includes motets, madrigals, Messe, Lauds, Hymns, music symphonic, organ and chamber, and especially a series of speakers for soloists, chorus and orchestra. It is worth mentioning also the Brunellesco, an opera in three acts never performed with the author still alive.

Among his dozens of works, including 10 masses is: Jubilaei Mass for 4 voices choir, organ and small orchestra