Tu scendi dalle stelle

Tu scendi dalle stelle [tu ˈʃendi dalle ˈstelle] is probably the most famous Italian Christmas carol. It was composed around the middle of the 18th century by the Neapolitan theologian and later Bishop Alfonso Maria de Liguori .

Alfonso Maria de 'Liguori

Tu scendi dalle stelle , sung by Damian Borkowski

Although the original consists of seven stanzas, mostly only the first three are sung. In the past, the song was often accompanied by Pifferari and Zampognari .

history

The information about the genesis of the song is contradicting itself. On a missionary trip to Apulia , Alfonso Maria de Liguori is said to have written seven stanzas of the song in one night in December 1744 and sang it in mass the following day. Other sources give 1755 as the year of origin, the ecumenical lexicon of saints mentions 1754.

Thanks to its folksong-like character, the catchy melody in thirds and the swaying six-eight time, the song was quickly adopted by the people. De Liguori derived the melody from the Christmas carol "Quanno nascette Ninno" from 1650, for which he had previously written a text in the Neapolitan language.

Apparently the original Neapolitan text by Alfonso Maria de Liguori could not prevail. The Italian text common today is said to be from Pope Pius IX. have been written.

distribution

Tu scendi dalle stelle is sung by countless choirs in many countries at Christmas time. Giuseppe Verdi is said to have said that Christmas would not be Christmas without this song. Numerous well-known performers such as Luciano Pavarotti , Andrea Bocelli , Adriano Celentano , Die Prinzen and Renata Scotto have recorded the song. On December 24, 2012 it was sung at the Christmas service in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

text

Original text	translation
Tu scendi dalle stelle, O Re del Cielo, e vieni in una grotta, al freddo al gelo. O Bambino mio Divino Io ti vedo qui a tremar, O Dio Beato Ahi, quanto ti costò l'avermi amato! A te, che sei del mondo il Creatore, mancano panni e fuoco; O mio Signors! Caro eletto Pargoletto, Quanto questa povertà più mi innamora! Giacché ti fece amor povero ancora!	You descend from the stars O king of heaven, and come to a cave in cold and ice. O my divine child, I see you tremble here O my holy God! Oh, that's how much it cost you to love me. You, who are the creator are in the world there is a lack of blankets and fire, oh my lord. Dear chosen child, how much makes your poverty love me you more because love made you poor too.

Web links

• Sheet music in the public domain by Tu scendi dalle stelle in the Choral Public Domain Library - ChoralWiki (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Lyricsemania.it.
2. ^ Schott music education
3. ^ Kath.net
4. ↑ Cronologia Alfonsiana ( Memento of the original from November 7, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Museo S. Alfonso Maria de Liguori 
5. ↑ ^{a b} sendbote.com ( Memento of the original from November 7, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
6. ^ Alfons Maria von Liguori in the Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints
7. ↑ HitParadeItalia
8. ↑ Naples ( Memento of the original from November 8, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
9. ↑ HymnsAndCarolsOfChristmas.com
10. ↑ Video on YouTube