Tu scendi dalle stelle (From starry skies descending)

Tu scendi dalle stelle is amongst the oldest of Christmas songs in Italy. The original version was written in the mid-1700s in Naples by the Catholic Bishop of Sant’Agata dei Goti, Alfonso Maria de’ Liguori. At that time it was called Quanno nascette Ninno and was written in the Neapolitan dialect in the style of a pastorale.

Tu scendi dalle stelle was later re-written in Italian by Pope Pius IX and thereafter it became famous as a Christmas carol all over the world.

Originally containing seven verses, today’s performances of the carol in Italy generally include only the first two verses. Notable recordings and performances of the carol include those by Sergio Franchi, Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti.

This arrangement features both Italian and English lyrics, with the English version being a very close adaptation of the original Italian. The carol may therefore be sung in either Italian or English, or a combination of both.

Available in 2 Part and SSA, both with piano and optional descant/flute.

Also available is an instrumental accompaniment for the SSA arrangement – scored for string quintet and glockenspiel, with conductor’s score.