Teodoro Riccio’s Conundrum of Missa Ludovicus Dux Wirtenbergensis Resolved?
Teodoro Riccio’s Conundrum of Missa Ludovicus Dux Wirtenbergensis Resolved?

Summary/Abstract: The meaning and provenance of the tune is therefore quite a puzzle. In addition, how to reconcile the almost homage-like and conciliatory character of Riccio’s preface to Liber missarum, a collection dedicated to Stefan Batory, with the presence in it of a mass that could have been taken as an open affront to the Catholic king of Poland? The antiphon Cornelius centurio, vir religiosus ac timens Deum and the story of the centurion Cornelius from the Acts of the Apostles allow us to look at this composition from a different point of view. Perhaps the mass Ludovicus Dux Wirtenbergensis is a carrier of a theological message resulting from the conscious coupling of the melody of the aforementioned antiphon with the name of the Duke Ludwig of Württemberg, a message that was intended to reinforce the message contained in the preface and whose purpose was to seek understanding, mutual understanding and respect between the Christian denominations.

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