What Does The Quaeso Really Say?

With a tip of the biretta   o{]:¬)   to Veritatis Splendor (the blog, not the doc – the document would be Veritatis splendor, but I digress) I warn you in the Washington D.C. area that there is out there a polyphonic vocal group named:

The Suspicious Cheese Lords

This is imply too good to be true.

The SCLs themselves explain how they got such a name for their group.

The Suspicious Cheese Lords’ name is derived from the title of a Thomas Tallis motet, Suscipe quæso Domine. While "translating" the title, it was observed that Suscipe could be "suspicious," quæso is close to the Spanish word queso meaning "cheese," and Domine is, of course, "Lord." Hence, the title of the motet was clearly "Suspicious Cheese Lord"—which in time became adopted as the group’s name.

"But Father! But Father!", you are by now sputtering.  "That’s … that’s … not right!  You must set them straight!"

Hang on there.  Don’t be upset.  The SCL‘s know that is not what the Latin suscipe, quaeso, Domine really says.   They explain on their site:

 

Although their name is humorous, the group appreciates the literal translation of Suscipe Quæso Domine, which is, "Take, I ask, Lord." Suspiciously, the Cheese Lords have yet to perform this motet. 

 

And there you have it.

The next time I am in the D.C. area, I hope to find that the Suspicious Cheese Lords are slated to sing.  I shall surely find them.

I wonder if they sing the bleus?

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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8 Comments

  1. Flambeaux says:

    I bought their first CD as a Christmas present. Magnificent. I have not experienced a live performance, but I’m thrilled with their recordings. I first learned of them through Fr. Jim Tucker, of the blog Dappled Things.

  2. Londiniensis says:

    I suppose that they sing Con Brie-o in front of the wonderful Madonna with St Zachary by Parmigiano.

  3. A musical pun almost of the caliber of Mannheim Steamroller*, except the SCLs sing better music.

    *”walze,” often translated “steamroller,” was a musical device used in Mannheim during the earliest days of the classical period, when the symphony orchestra was just coming into existence

  4. EJ says:

    Father – they sing regularly at the Franciscan Monastery near Catholic U and the National Shrine, their founder and director is a friend of mine.

  5. afanco says:

    “The bleus” How cheesy.

    I suppose they could also do R&B, (Ricotta and Bleus)

    Do they have a Mozzo-soprano?

    If anyone else would like to make any more puns, look here for fodder: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cheeses

    I wonder if they ever perform at Notre Edam?

    ok I’m done.

  6. Will Cubbedge says:

    I’ve had the privilege of serving at the Franciscan Monastery over the years.
    The Cheese Lords sang every Lent at the Monastery, but were discharged by the present (and soon to be retired) Guardian. They are great. Their first recording was made in the memorial church of the monastery. I hope they come back to us soon.

  7. dad29 says:

    Certainly, they sing on pitch, not Sharp, Cheddar…

  8. Fran Pierson says:

    With puns that bad someone may Gouda hell!

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