An oratorio by Giovanni Legrenzi for his 400th birthday
Giovanni Legrenzi, born 400 years ago in Clusone near Bergamo, was one of the great composers of the 17th century and made it to the position of Kapellmeister at San Marco in Venice. Legrenzi was also famous north of the Alps: his works were known in the Tyrolean region, demonstrably in Marienberg and Meran, and two oratorios from his pen were performed at the imperial court in Vienna.
Giovanni Legrenzi dedicated a collection of instrumental works entitled “La Cetra” to the Emperor in 1673. Legrenzi’s oratorio “La morte del cor penitente” was performed at Leopold’s court shortly before his death in 1705 – unusually almost 30 years after the composer’s death – a jewel that impressively demonstrates the mastery of its creator. The contrapuntal skill in particular, which shines through again and again, met the musical taste of the imperial court. Legrenzi was successful as an opera composer – this experience in vocal composition is evident in the expressive arias. From 1673, the work was performed several times in the Filippini oratorio in Venice, but it was probably composed as early as 1671 in Ferrara, where there was a Brotherhood of the Dead that organised glittering oratorio performances. As is usual in Italian oratorios of this period, allegorical figures (a sinner, repentance and hope) make an appearance.
BONUS: 6 pm introduction with music
Further dates in cooperation with the Festival Musica Sacra Bozen-Trient:
SA, 23.5.2026, 7.30 pm, Franciscan Church of Bolzano
SO, 24.5.2026, 18.00 h, S. Francesco Saverio Trento/Trient
