Laus Angelica: Poetry in the Medieval Mass

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Edited by Jane Flynn. Translated by William Flynn. The liturgical celebration of the Mass, a multifarious spiritual, artistic, and intellectual manifestation, had a central position in the cultural life of medieval Europe. The 'Gregorian Chants', mostly words from passages of the Old Testament, were reinterpreted and ornamented by means of new lyrics, and became the basis for new literary and musical genres, such as tropes, sequences, and other new lyrics. In spite of all the unifying efforts made by the Carolingian reformers, a rich variety in practice came to characterize the performance of the Mass in the ninth through the twelfth centuries. Extensive repertories of new texts and melodies were spread in manuscripts all over Europe. Until now this fascinating material has been the preserve of a small circle of specialists in musicology and philology. With this volume, the author introduces and analyses these hidden treasures to make them available to a wider public. It is directed to those with an interest in the philosophy, theology, and history of medieval Latin literature, and in the expressions of spiritual, poetic, and musical creativity of the European Middle Ages. List of Illustrations vii Preface xiii Acknowledgements xv Note on the English Edition xvii List of Abbreviations xix Introduction: New Lyric Genres in the Medieval Mass 1 Chapter 1: Encountering the Sacred: Medieval Interpretations of the Mass Introit 21 Chapter 2: To Sing with the Prophets: Tropes for the Antiphon of the Mass Introit 33 Chapter 3: Kyrie Eleison: Bilingual Prayer and Chanted Incense 63 Chapter 4: Gloria in Excelsis Deo: The Hymn of the Angels 93 Chapter 5: To Sing with the Host of Angels: Sequences of the Early Period 127 Chapter 6: In Praise of the Virgin Mary: Sequences of the Twelfth Century 161 Chapter 7: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus: The Hymn of the Angels and Mankind in Praise of the Trinity 181 Chapter 8: Agnus Dei: Prayer to the Lamb of God, Praise to the King of Angels 217 Chapter 9: Symphony of the Celestial Harmony: Liturgical Language and Hildegard’s Poetry 235 Chapter 10: Singing with Angels: Heavenly Music in Liturgical Poetry 255 Epilogue 281 Bibliography 283 Index of Manuscripts 297 Index of Textual Incipits 299 Index of Biblical Passages 303 General Index 305