Rare original musical manuscript, probably dating from mid-17th-century Italy, of an anonymous sacred motet on the text "Emendemus in melius." Four individual parts, for Canto 1, Canto 2, Alto, and Basso Continuo, are contained in a folded sheet with the title "Motetto per orgni tempo à 3. / due CC. e A. / Emendemus in melius." The piece's first theme and overall style are very similar to those of the settings of the same text by Fabri, Carissimi, and Cifra recorded in RISM, making it likely that this piece also originates from the rich musical world of mid-17th-century Rome.

The short piece consists of a polyphonic section in 2 on the first part of the text, "Emendemus in melius quae ignoranter peccavimus" ("Let us amend for the better in those things in which we have sinned through ignorance"), followed by a partially homophonic section in 3 and 2 on the text "Attende Domine et miserere nobis quia peccavimus tibi" ("Hearken, O Lord, and have mercy: for we have sinned against thee.") Following this, the Canto 1 sings the versus, "Adjuva nos," solo; the other two voices enter again to repeat "Attende Domine." The motet, designated for use during any liturgical season, would have been useful for smaller ensembles on a wide range of church occasions.

2 pp. (Canto 1); 2 pp. (Canto 2); 1 p. (Alto); 1 p. (Basso Continuo). On 4 leaves. Edge wear and a large loss to the folded cover; parts with some heavy foxing around the noteheads and some light stains to the edges; parts in fine condition for their age overall and very legible. 6.5 x 9 inches (16.5 x 22.7 cm).