After the first CD recorded with Intende Voci Ensemble, dedicated to Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725) and Herbert Howells (1892-1983), here is a new proposal that continues the fil rouge between Baroque and 20th century, a juxtaposition that generates a harmony of feelings in me due to the strong stylistic and expressive contact between the two eras.
The uniqueness of this new CD lies in the world premiere recording of Antonio Caldara’s Gloria (1670-1736), rediscovered by musicologist Luca della Libera and whose transcription, first performance and recording I supported.
Together with the virtuoso Canova Chamber Orchestra, we brought back a perfect example of Venetian pompous sacredness, with its characteristic contrapuntal complexity. An extraordinary work.
But also unique is the Lauda for the Nativity of the Lord by Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936), the only sacred masterpiece by the Bolognese composer, a great transcriber-estimator of early music. Two centuries after Caldara, Respighi gives us a perfect modern example of ‘open-form’ scoring and rewriting of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music together, bordering at times on absolute genius: from the choral villanelle that follows Mary’s aria accompanied by the English horn to the concluding Gloria.
Here, the narration is entrusted to the ancient Italian of Jacopone da Todi (- 1306), pure poetry of which only good Italian interpreters can fully appreciate the meanings and historical value.
Mirko Guadagnini, artistic director
W.A. Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Confessore for IUC La Sapienza
27 October 2025
Intende Voci Ensemble conducted by Enrico Pagano with Orchestra da Camera Canova inaugurates the prestigious concert season
