Singing in the Papal Choir during the 16th century…

“Juan Sánchez, first admitted in June, 1529, was the most flamboyant member of the generally hot-tempered Spanish section of the choir. In January, 1540, not wishing to sing the part allotted him by the director, he hit him “in the presence of the Sacrament,” thus creating a “very great scandal.” He was imprisoned, but the Spaniards in the choir banded together and sent Ordoñez to plead with the Pope, who indulgently reinstated him with only the proviso that Sánchez lose senior status in the choir and return in the rank of a beginner. […] Even after reinstatement, however, Sánchez continued to behave badly—often pretending to be sick when he wanted a day off, and quarreling with other choir members. Like Sánchez and Ordoñez, Nuñez was not above pretending to be sick when it suited his convenience to work in his garden.”