Commentary Par XXIV 113-114

'Dio laudamo' is of course the Italian version of the Latin hymn Te Deum laudamus, which we heard intoned in [Purg IX 140], when the gate of Purgatory swung open (see C.Purg.IX.139-145).  And see Casagrande (Casa.1976.1), pp. 260-64, for the relationship between all the Italian hymns of praise in the eighth heaven and the Hebrew word of praise 'alleluia.'  Also see Brownlee (Brow.1984.2) for reflections on 'Why the Angels Speak Italian.'

There is a profusion of hymns in this heaven: [Par XXIII 128] (Regina celi); [Par XXV 73] ('Sperino in te'); [Par XXV 98] (Sperent in te); [Par XXVI 69] ('Santo, santo, santo'); [Par XXVII 1] ('Al Padre, al Figlio, a lo Spirito Santo, gloria'), including this one, six musical outbursts in all.

It is curious that the commentary tradition is silent on the fact that the Te Deum is represented as being sung in the vernacular, surely connected to the Italian identity of the poet/bachelor of theology who has just concluded the crucial part of his 'examination' here.  Further, the commentators, without dispute among themselves, either think that the outburst of the Church Triumphant celebrates Dante's profession of faith or the triumph of the Christian faithful.  Scartazzini/Vandelli (DDP Vandelli.Par.XXIV.113-114) were the first to suggest that possibly both are intended, as Momigliano (DDP Momigliano.Par.XXIV.113-114) concurs.