Can anyone decipher the Latin rubric abbreviation "mgta"?
  • rcs
    Posts: 2
    I am stumped by a Latin abbreviation in a Spanish choir book ca. 1520, of which I have a leaf. I have searched the internet and reference libraries and unfortunately have come up empty. I wonder if anyone can help me decipher this phrase which appears in red letters, before a psalm number and the antiphon, apparently as a directional rubric for the choir:

    Dnica
    tertia
    ad mgta

    There are notations in the shape of small diamond above the "n" in "Dnica", and the "g" and "a" in "mgta" indicating that letters are missing. My guess is that the rubric reads "Dominica tertia ad ????", i.e. "Third Sunday to/before ????"; or could "mgta" refer to "magistra", i.e "instructress"? I have been able to translate the Latin on the rest of the vellum page, but the abbreviations are the one frustrating mystery. If you can help solve it, I would be forever grateful.

    Below is a photo of a similar example from a manuscript website:
    http://medievalwriting.50megs.com/word/music3.htm
  • Richard R.
    Posts: 774
    Pretty sure they are telling you you're looking at a Magnificat antiphon. Cf. your Liber, p. 892 for the Magnificat antiphon, Pacem relinquo vobis, at Vespers on Tuesday (feria III) of Whitsun (Pentecost) week.
  • rcs
    Posts: 2
    Many thanks Richard R. I think your idea makes sense. However, from my research of the antiphonal text on the page "Dixit autem pater ad servos..." and "Extollens quaedam mulier..." I believe the antiphons are for the Third Sunday of Lent, Vespers and Vespers 2.
  • Richard R.
    Posts: 774
    I was refering to your example:

    Below is a photo of a similar example from a manuscript website:
    http://medievalwriting.50megs.com/word/music3.htm

    which is the only one I could look at.
Add a Comment