‘Psallam Deo Meo’- ‘I will sing to my God’ is the motto chosen by Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci and featured on his emblem. A very justified motto considering a life dedicated to enrich and exalt the sacred liturgy through music.
Cardinal and Maestro Domenico Bartolucci is celebrating his birthday today, 7th May. Celebrating birthdays is always a blessing but celebrating 96 years is noteworthy. Born in Firenze, Bartolucci is known for his vast contribution in the sacred musical field, both as a composer and as director. He is the Maestro Perpetuo of the Sistine Chapel and of the Accademia Nazionale of Santa Cecilia. He conducted the Vatican Choir from 1956, right after Perosi death, till 1997. On 20 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to the College of Cardinals.
During its music-cultural trip to Rome and Assisi, in September 2007, Schola Cantorum Jubilate met the Maestro in his residence in Rome. His warm welcome and words of appraisal remained impressed in the choristers’ hearts. He was moved on seeing such a young group of choristers performing his music and talking about the real church music which at times is far from what is commonly practiced. On seeing the choristers’ enthusiasm, Mro Bartolucci asked Mro. Renzo Cilia to fetch him a set of his compositions. The choir brought the whole collection to its archives in Gozo and now compositions by Bartolucci are found in the choir’s repertoire. Mro. Cilia is a Maltese academician who studied with Mro. Bartolucci and who was later asked by the Maestro himself to assist him with the Sistine Chapel Choir. Mro Cilia is still his right hand and assists him on daily basis.
As from that very first meeting till the present date, the choir and the Maestro maintained a friendly relationship and other visits at the Maestro’s house happened along the years.
Ad Multos Annos Caro Maestro!
