The Chant Cafe is pleased to announce the 500th anniversary of the Cappella Giulia of the Vatican Basilica. Wikipedia offers an entry too.
On the 19th of February 1593, at the eve of death, Pope Julius II signed the papal bull IN ALTISSIMO MILITANTIS ECCLESIÆ by order of which the Cappella Giulia was constituted. The pontifical document was intended to provide more solemnity to the liturgical functions of the Vatican Basilica with musical executions of the highest artistic value.
With loyal faithfulness to the original task assigned, the Cappella still abides to this duty and today is preparing celebrations for its Fifth Centennial. The celebrations will be inaugurated on the 22nd of February 2013, day of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, with a solemn concelebration presided by the Cardinal Archpriest of the Basilica and will be concluded on the 18th of November 2013, Solemnity of the Dedication of the Vatican Basilica.
On the occasion of this important anniversary, the Cappella Giulia is happy to welcome other choirs who are dedicated to the ministry of beauty at service of the Church Liturgy and may desire to participate to one or the other celebrations taking place in 2013.
The Institutional Program provides a guided visit of the Vatican Basilica, a conference on the history of the Cappella and on the ministry of liturgical music in the Church today, participation in the Holy Chapter Mass (High Mass) and if desired, also the celebration of solemn Vespers.In addition to this, a complementary program has also been carefullyprepared, for both the historical and cultural aspects of the journey, which includes among others a public concert that each choir can give in a Church of Rome historically bound with the Cappella Giulia.
During Spring 2012, a collection of musical transcriptions from the manuscripts of the archives of the Cappella shall be available upon request.
For further information and participation, please Email: info@cappellagiulia.org