What Is Ambrosian Chant?

Ambrosian chant is the liturgical plainchant repertory of the Ambrosian rite of the Roman Catholic Church, related to but distinct from Gregorian chant. It is primarily associated with the Archdiocese of Milan, and named after St. Ambrose much as Gregorian chant is named after Gregory the Great.

Where does Ambrosian chant come from?

Ambrosian chant, monophonic, or unison, chant that accompanies the Latin mass and canonical hours of the Ambrosian rite. The word Ambrosian is derived from St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan (374–397), from which comes the occasional designation of this rite as Milanese.

What are the three types of chant?

There are three types of Gregorian chant: syllabic, neumatic, and melismatic. Usually they can be easily distinguished from one another by the number of notes that are sung per syllable.