Allegri, Gregorio (1582–1652)

Italian baroque composer. He was maestro di cappella of the Sistine Chapel, Rome, 1610–29. His output of sacred music includes Magnificats, a cappella Masses, motets, and the celebrated Miserere mei (Psalm 51) for nine voices. This was reserved for performance by the chapel choir until Mozart, at the age of 14, wrote out the music from memory.