As per tradition, a rich program of initiatives animates the city in these days to celebrate Sant’Antonino, patron saint of Piacenza. Under the Antoninian manifestations, the Farnesian Polyphonic Choir will perform in a concert that will take place on Tuesday 28 June at 9 pm in the Basilica of S. Antonino. In this evening dedicated to music and singing, the Mixed Voices of the Farnesian Polyphonic Choir will be involved accompanied on the organ by Alessandro Molinari and directed by the master Mario Pigazzini. The Choir will present an extensive program that will retrace various historical periods from the Renaissance to the present day. Pieces by different composers will be performed, each with their own musical sensitivity, but with the common link to the sacred – liturgical text.
The opening is on the notes of Tu solus qui facis mirabilia by the Flemish Josquin Des Pres, a sacred motet whose text affirms the Christian’s fidelity to Our Lord. Singing will follow O very sweet Jesu by Franchino Gaffurio for mixed choir of four voices, the text of which takes up three stanzas of a medieval hymn De Corpore Christis and the motet for four voices If ye love me by the English Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis. First published in 1565 during the reign of Elizabeth I, it is a well-known example of the compositional style of the Reformation and is still part of the Anglican sacred music repertoire. LPG from Palestrina will be run Alma Redemptoris Mater – Holy Mother of the Redeemer – a prayer of intercession of Mary Mother of God and the famous motet Sicut cervus universally recognized as a pinnacle of Renaissance polyphony. From the Glory by Antonio Vivaldi, one of the most compelling and well-known pages of the Venetian musician, will be performed on Domine Deus, Agnus Dei a dialogue between the alto and the choir – soloist the contralto Lucia Dal Corso – and the solemn final fugue Cum sancto spiritu.
Johann Sebastian Bach’s famous choir will follow Jesus bleibet meine Freude taken from Cantata BWV 147 and the song Dextera Domains, a joyful exclamation of praise to the Lord, by composer Johann Michael Haydn, brother of the more famous Joseph Haydn. By Maurice Duruflè, it will be performed Notre Pere – Our Father – a prayer song whose melody is in the style of Gregorian chant, and by Luigi Molfino, “O sacrum convivium” for mixed choir of four voices: a text in Latin prose in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. Sergei Rachmaninov will be executed Bogoroditse Djevo – Rejoice virgin Mother of God – a solemn and joyful hymn dedicated to Mary, Mother of God and, always dedicated to her, a song with a simple and moving melodic line, theAve Verum, for four-voice choir and organ, by contemporary Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. At the end of the evening, theAgnus Dei by American composer Samuel Baber. An intense piece, rich in spirituality and with a strong emotional impact. Please note that on Monday 4 July at 11 am, again in the Basilica of S. Antonino, the Farnesian Choir will accompany the solemn Eucharistic celebration in honor of the patron saint, presided over by Msgr. Adriano Cevolotto, Bishop of Piacenza-Bobbio.
Concert of the Farnesian Choir in honor of Sant’Antonino on June 28 – piacenzasera.it