Sistine chapel choir investigation

Vatican confirms investigation into the Pontifical Choir

Money laundering, serious fraud, embezzlement: The director of the choir of the Sistine Chapel is currently facing serious allegations. The choirmaster is also being investigated due to his dealings with the boys' choir.

The Administrative Director and the head of the choir of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican are being investigated. Media reports were confirmed by the Vatican on Wednesday evening. Pope Francis had "a few months ago, ordered investigations on financial and administrative matters of the choir". These are still in progress, they said.

According to media reports, Administrative Director, Michelangelo Nardella is accused of having deposited funds from concert income from the choir into an Italian account. It concerns the criminal offences of money laundering, serious fraud and embezzlement. It is claimed Nardella's account for concert receipts had been used for personal expenses.

Rude tones

Already at the beginning of July Nardella had been suspended. His lawyer had denied that there were investigations against her client. However, the investigations opened soon after, said the Vatican. In addition, there is currently a visitation of the choir, reports Vatican Insider. The parents of some choir boys complained about the rude tone of the choirmaster, Massimo Palombella.

The Pontifical Choir of the Sistine Chapel (Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina) is considered the oldest continuously existing choir in the world. It was founded in its present form in 1471, but its origins date back to Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century. The four-part ensemble has about 60 singers, with soprano and alto registers populated by boys' voices. Through the elaboration of the liturgical celebrations of the Pope, the music of the "Cappella Sistina" finds a worldwide distribution. In addition, the choir regularly releases recordings or undertakes concert tours to countries around the world.

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