Autumn Songs: Cantatas and Songs from Rome

About the Event

Embark on a melodic journey through history with 'Autumn Songs: Cantatas and Songs from Rome,' hosted at the picturesque Museo Santa Francesca Romana. Featuring soprano Maria Chiara Forte and pianist Massimiliano Franchina, this concert offers an inspiring exploration of Rome’s musical heritage, merging Baroque masterpieces with contemporary flair. The program spotlights composers who molded or were influenced by the vibrant artistic life of the Eternal City.

The evening commences with works by notable Baroque Roman composers such as Giacomo Carissimi, Carlo Caproli, and the multifaceted Salvator Rosa, whose refined vocal artistry marries expressive depth with lyrical elegance. Their compositions mirror the rich cultural atmosphere of seventeenth‐century Rome, characterized by a fusion of theatricality, spirituality, and poetic sensitivity.

The musical journey continues with pieces by Alessandro Scarlatti, a pivotal figure of the late Baroque, whose sophisticated melodies and expressive harmonies shaped the Roman vocal tradition for generations.

The program then transitions into the modern era with works by Giuseppe Agostini (1930–2020), a contemporary composer whose music dialogues with tradition while introducing fresh textures, evocative colors, and a distinctly introspective tone. His work signifies the ongoing evolution of Roman musical creativity into recent times.

A highlight of the evening will be the world premiere of a Cantata by Aurelio Porfiri, set to a text by Cardinal Benedetto Pamphili, a revered patron, poet, and intellectual of Baroque Rome. This premiere revives Pamphili’s artistic voice while extending the living tradition of the Roman cantata, seamlessly connecting centuries through new musical expression.

Together, Forte and Franchina illuminate the enduring allure of Rome’s musical landscape — a conversation between past and present, tradition and innovation, brought to life with artistry, passion, and elegance.