Regina caeli [160]

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Full title / Other titles

RC160 Regina coeli 4 vv

Type

Motet

Scores

Regina coeli

Polyphonic ensemble SATB

[C]-G2; [A]-C2; [T]-C3; [B]-F3. High clefs. Entire range, A-g’’. No evidence of chant. Textual phrases are distinguished through texture, repetition and mensuration. An imitative texture introduces ”regina” (mm. 1-3), “alleluia” (mm. 12-5) and “resurrexit” (mm. 18-24). Triple mensuration defines the first “alleluia” section (mm. 5-10) with homorhythmic gestures for the initial two measures and independent voices for the entire section; the third textual phrase, “resurrexit…dixit” is also stated in triple mensuration. Identical statements of “alleluia” segments 1 (mm. 5-10) and 3 (mm. 26-31), and “alleluia” segments 2 (mm. 13-17) and 4 (mm. 36-9), respectively, suggest a symmetrical structure; additionally, three upper voices state textual phrases 2, quia…portare,” and 4, “ora…nobis” (mm. 31-6) within a homorhythmic texture. Final a.

Description

Although credited to Palestrina, this antiphon does not share style characteristics with the other Regina caeli settings by the composer. Of the thirteen Marian antiphons assuredly attributed to Palestrina, all include chant quotations to varying degrees and one has a contrasting section in triple mensuration (AC099). In RC160 a vertical structure and varied harmonic palette differ from the prevailing Palestrina style. NG II includes the antiphon in Palestrina’s Work List; however, the antiphon is excluded from MGG II. See Notes for AR082, AC096, and SR191, antiphons also included in A-Wn Mus.Hs.16709-GF most likely dubiously attributed to Palestrina.

Associated people

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - Composer

Creation place and date

No information.

Associated sources

Sung texts

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Regina caeli laetare, alleluia;
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia,
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

***

The Trope:

Alle Domine nate matris Deus alme nobis confer praestaque vivere:
Quam [quoniam] te decet laus honor O Domine qui de morte surgebas rex pie:
Fac nos tecum surgere, alleluia.

Bibliography

Modern editions

No information.

References

No information.

Contributors

Harry Elzinga - Project manager ; Scientific editor

Ailin Arjmand - Collaborative work

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https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1709/

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Regina caeli [160], in RicercarDataLab [https://ricercardatalab.cesr.univ-tours.fr/works/1709/] (accessed 23 January 2026).

Last modification: Jan. 19, 2026