An ancient thread links the main centers of “Po Valley” Christianityamong which also Ravenna plays an important role. What unites them, among other things, is the cult of Sant’Apollinare, or Sant’Aponal, which is renewed every year on 23 July. It is precisely following the traces of the ritual celebration of the one who plays the role of patron saint in Ravenna, Marco Gemmani at the head of the prestigious choral ensemble the Marciana Chapel dates back to 1670, to the Mass of Giovanni Legrenzi which, most likely, was performed in Basilica of San Marco precisely on the occasion of the solemnity reserved for Sant’Apollinare. And thereproposes again for the Ravenna Festival on Sunday 23 June, at 9.30 pm, in the extraordinary Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe.
The composer from Bergamo Giovanni Legrenzi (born in 1626 in Clusone and died in 1690 in Venice) was one of the protagonists of the tip of the Seventeenth-century Italian musiclittle known to the general public but fundamental in the development of vocal music and above all instrumental of the following century – it is not excluded that Antonio Vivaldi was among his students – and in those years he held the very important role of Chapel Master at the Basilica Marciana in Venice. And it is precisely in accordance with the ancient ceremonial of that chapel and the official functions in which the doge took part, that this short Mass – that is, without the Sanctus and of theAgnus Dei according to the custom of the time – it is built according to an eight-voice double choir system to which, the only innovation, the composer joins a string quintet, thus bringing the voices to thirteen. A complex architecture which, however, in the close dialogue between the choirs and in the pressing dynamism of the rhythm does not give up expressive inspiration.
The same day in the Basilica of Classebut at 10, the Cappella Marciana will instead propose music by Antonio Lotti for the Sunday liturgy of In the Domini temple.
Info and presales: 0544 249244 – www.ravennafestival.org
Tickets: single seat numbered 25 (reduced 22)
Young people at the Festival: under 18 5 Euros; National Youth Card (18-35 years): 50% discount
