The Quattro pezzi sacri (Italian pronunciation: [ˈkwattro ˈpɛttsi ˈsaːkri], Four Sacred Pieces) are choral works by Giuseppe Verdi.

After Verdi finished his opera Aida and in 1874 the Messa da Requiem, he retired from composing for years, writing only minor sacred compositions such as a Pater Noster and an Ave Maria in 1880.

[1] The earliest of the Quattro pezzi sacri in terms of its composition date is what came to be known as Laudi alla Vergine Maria (although Verdi himself did not give it that title).

[4] He studied Bach's Mass in B minor and compositions by Palestrina,[4] whose influence is apparent in the Laudi alla Vergine Maria.

[3] The music publisher Schott renders the subtitle as "Scala enigmatica armonizzata a 4 voci miste" (Enigmatic scale harmonised for four mixed voices).

While Ave Maria is set for soloists, Verdi scored the Stabat Mater for a four-part mixed chorus (SATB) and a large orchestra of three flutes, two oboes, two clarinets.

[4] Verdi wrote to Giovanni Tebaldini, director of music in Padua: "It is usually sung during grand, solemn and noisy ceremonies for a victory or a coronation etc.

Humanity believes in the Judex Venturus, invokes Him in the Salvum fac and ends with a prayer, 'Dignare Domine die isto', which is moving, melancholy and sad even to the point of terror.

The full choir and orchestra enter in partly dramatic scenes, reminiscent of the Messa da Requiem,[4] interspersed by Gregorian chant.

Verdi was not present, because he had suffered a mild stroke, but sent Arrigo Boito with several requests, partly in writing, for performance details.