The program of the opening concert of NovAntica 2025 is dedicated to Alessandro Scarlatti, who in 2025 is commemorated on the 300th anniversary of his death.
Born in Palermo and deceased in Naples in 1725, he was one of the foremost exponents of the Neapolitan Baroque school and among the most prolific opera composers of the late 17th century. Many of the stylistic “innovations” that would later shape the history of the Baroque across Europe—such as the definitive form of the da capo aria—can be credited to him.
NovAntica commemorates him with a performance of his Passio secundum Johannem, to which the artistic direction has chosen to pair, in a musical pastiche, the Stabat Mater for ten voices composed by his son Domenico Scarlatti.
Though best known for his harpsichord sonatas, Domenico reached an extraordinary level of refinement in this polyphonic work for ten voices and basso continuo.
“The dialogue between the story of Christ’s Passion on the Cross and the sorrow of the Mother at his feet unfolds in a sequence alternating narration and emotion, centering on one of the most iconic scenes of Christianity,” explained Mirko Guadagnini, Artistic Director of the season.
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Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)
Passio Secondum Joannem*
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
Stabat Mater a 10 voci
*Danilo Pastore, testo (controtenore)
*Piermarco Viñas, Christus (basso)
*Dario Battaglia, Pilatus (baritono)
*Beniamino Borciani, Petrus (tenore)
*Leonardo Moreno, Judaeus (tenore)
*Maddalena De Biasi, Ancilla (soprano)
Intende Voci Ensemble
Franz Silvestri, organo
Sofia Ferri, tiorba
Ensemble vocale e strumentale Il Cantiere di Orfeo
Mirko Guadagnini, maestro concertatore
