Roman Festivals

Roman Festivals

Join us on a musical journey to the Eternal City as Respighi's cinematic musical style brings ancient Rome to life.

Respighi celebrated the past and present beauties of his beloved adopted city in three tone poems or suites: Fountains of Rome (1916), Pines of Rome (1924), and Roman Festivals (1928).

He attached a preface to the score of Roman Festivals, setting out the scenes he intended it to evoke.

Circenses: A threatening sky hangs over the Circus Maximus, but it is the people’s holiday: Ave Nero! The iron doors are unlocked, the strains of a religious song and the howling of wild beasts float on the air. The crowd rises in agitation: unperturbed, the song of the martyrs develops, conquers, then is lost in the tumult.

Il Giubileo (The Jubilee): The pilgrims trail along the highway, praying. Finally appears the summit of Monte Mario, to ardent eyes and gasping souls, the holy city: Rome! Rome! A hymn of praise bursts forth, the churches ring out their reply.

L’Ottobrata (The October Festival): The October Festival in the Roman Castelli covered with vines: hunting echoes, tinkling of bells, songs of love. Then in the tender evening, a romantic serenade.

La Befana (The Epiphany): The night before Epiphany in the Piazza Navona: a characteristic rhythm of trumpets dominates the frantic clamor: above the swelling noise float, from time to time, rustic motives, saltarello cadenzas, the strains of a barrel organ and the appeal of a barker, the harsh song of the drunkard, and the lively stornello in which is expressed the popular feeling, “Let us pass, we are Romans!”

Join us on a musical journey to the Eternal City as Respighi’s cinematic musical style brings ancient Rome to life. Tickets on sale September 4, 2018.

October 6, 2018 | 7:30pm-9:30pm
October 7, 2018 | 2:30pm-4:30pm

Scott Speck conductor

Program:
Adams | Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Strauss | Rosenkavalier Suite
Berlioz | Roman Carnival Overture
Respighi | Roman Festivals

Sponsored By:
Regions Bank

The Laura Lee Pattilo Norquest Charitable Foundation

Media Sponsor:

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