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Three slim volumes, of an original four, contain the musical compositions
for the Divine Office at vespers; the music was so well known that only its
opening bars were recorded, since the short cue would be sufficient to the
singers. It is possible that this vesperal was produced for use in a church of
the Theatine order: their founder, St. Cajetan, is honored here with
arrangements for his feast (7 August). The only other unusual saint so fêted is
St. Leopold (15 November), who was Markgrave of Austria in the 15th
century. Austrian ownership is proven by the elaborate achievement of arms on
folio 2 in each of the three volumes: the double-headed displayed eagle, wearing
the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece, grasping the two swords and orb in
his claws, carries emblazoned on his chest the twenty-two coats of arms of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire. On the same leaf is the signature of one Johann
Hermann, qualifying himself as "Music." (for "musicista"?), and the date, 1766.
It would have been a worthy accomplishment to have copied out by hand all of
these texts and music, and to have done so with such consistent elegance.
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