Description

At the crossroads of musical theatre and spiritual meditation, William Christie invites us to rediscover one of the all-too-rarely performed oratorios...<div> ...per the Settimana Santa by Luigi Rossi, which will be preceded here by an equally little-known oratorio by Perti...</div><div><br></div><div> Composed around the mid-17th century, the Oratorio per la Settimana Santa (Oratorio for Holy Week) illustrates the profound aesthetic shift of the nascent Baroque, at the crossroads of musical theater and spiritual meditation: the primacy of the text, expressive intensity, dramatization of emotions, and harmonic refinement. Intended for Holy Week, it does not belong to the strict liturgy, but rather to a space of musical contemplation where biblical narrative becomes human introspection. Rossi deploys a highly modern style of writing, using the voice as the vehicle for direct emotion, foreshadowing future developments in opera. It is in this balance between spiritual fervor and dramatic intensity that the work's strength lies, and through its universal themes—suffering, hope, compassion, and redemption—it resonates with all sensibilities, transcending cultures and eras.</div><div><br></div><div> Despite its historical and artistic significance, the Oratorio per la Settimana Santa is rarely performed today. This new concert production by Les Arts Florissants therefore offers a precious opportunity to discover this musical heritage, of which William Christie and Les Arts Florissants are among the greatest interpreters today.</div><div><br></div><div> Giacomo Antonio Perti (1661-1756)</div><div> Oratorio della passione</div><div><br></div><div> Intermission</div><div><br></div><div> Luigi Rossi (1597-1653)</div><div> Oratorio per la Settimana Santa (Italian?)</div>