A Resurgence of Classical Music: Florence, Rovigo, and Milan Embrace Cultural Heritage
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Classical music is experiencing a vibrant revival across Italy, with Florence, Rovigo, and milan showcasing a diverse range of performances that honour both tradition and innovation. From operatic masterpieces to sacred cantatas and historical quartet concerts,these cities are offering audiences a rich tapestry of musical experiences.
florence: Strauss‘s “Salome” Opens the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
The prestigious Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence has commenced its 87th season with a bold rendition of richard Strauss’s Salome
, based on Oscar Wilde’s provocative tragedy. Performances are scheduled for the 13th,16th,23rd,and 27th of April at the Teatro del Maggio,with the festival running until June 21st. Allison Oakes takes on the challenging title role, while Alexander Soddy conducts, bringing his Wagnerian expertise to the Florentine stage. The visionary Emma dante directs, offering a unique interpretation of the opera.
Dante’s vision for the iconic Dance of the Seven Veils is especially striking.She envisions it as a large flower, between stone monsters similar to those of the Garden of Bomarzo, with the slaves who are the petals and Solomè the central pistil, like a dance of nature, driven, dragged by the wind.
This imagery promises a visually stunning and emotionally charged performance.
Rovigo: Malipiero’s Sacred Cantata “La Cena” Resonates in the cathedral
Rovigo offers a contrasting but equally compelling musical experience with Gian Francesco Malipiero’s religious cantata, La Cena
(The Supper). This rarely performed work, written in 1927, was presented on April 2nd in the Cathedral.The cantata,scored for soloists,choir,and orchestra,received its world premiere in New York in 1929. The text draws from Pierozzo Castellano de’ Castellani’s 16th-century portrayal of the dinner and passion,
a Tuscan verse that vividly portrays the life of Jesus, blending sacred narrative with elements of popular tradition.
Malipiero’s La Cena
presents Christ’s part always interpreted by the choir, while those of the apostles are entrusted to voices of individual soloists. The cantata unfolds like a primitive fresco, evoking the spirit of Giotto rather than Leonardo da vinci’s more refined style.The Orchestra of Padua and the Veneto, along with the City of Piazzola Choir on the Brenta and soloists Nicola Didonè, Cristiano Didonè, and Tareq Wahba, performed the work under the direction of Matteo Dal Maso. The program also included haydn’s Symphony The passion
. A further performance took place on April 1st at the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Salute in Monteortone.
La Cena.
Milan: A Historical Quartet Concert Revives Musical Heritage
Milan celebrated its rich musical past on April 1st with a special concert at il Quartetto Eos. The ensemble,joined by the first scaligeri quartet and pianist Gabriele Carcano,recreated the program from the inaugural concert of a renowned quartet company 161 years ago. The performance featured works by Mozart,Mendelssohn,and Beethoven,offering a glimpse into the musical landscape of 19th-century Milan.
