Pope Sixtus IV ordered the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican to be built to demonstrate his wealth and power, and Papal control was absolute, even extending to the musical repertoire that was sung in the chapel. Allegri's Miserere was jealously guarded until the young
Mozart transcribed it from memory. And although Palestrina was only employed at the Sistine Chapel for a few months, music such as his Missa
Papae Marcelli provided a respected model for centuries to come.