Madonna Mia!

Rome, 17th century. A city of splendour, devotion, and restless creativity. Enter Christina of Sweden: a queen without a kingdom, who trades her throne for a new realm—the arts. Her salons become a meeting place for poets, painters, and musicians; her influence shapes an entire generation.

At the same time, Rome pulses with Marian devotion. Antiphons such as Salve Regina and Ave Regina caelorum echo through its churches, offering comfort, hope, and protection. In this programme, Christina and Mary appear as parallel figures: one the queen of heaven, the other a patron-queen who finds her spiritual home in Rome.

The music of Carissimi, Melani, Stradella, Pasquini and Scarlatti unfolds within this world of splendour and searching. Sacred drama, daring harmonies, lyrical intimacy, and radiant counterpoint trace a journey from contemplation to exaltation—revealing how, in Baroque Rome, faith and art intertwined to stir both spirit and imagination.

Practical information

Composers: Melani · Stradella · Scarlatti · Carissimi · Pasquini
Instrumentation: SSATB and continuo (organ)
Duration: Around 60 min; can be adjusted.
Tuning: A=440 Hz, quarter-comma meantone
Requirements: Organ required. Continuo can be extended (e.g. with harpsichord)
Stage setup: 5 singers plus continuo. Standard concert setup.

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Programme

Melani — Quae est ista
SSATB bc•1682

Concerti Spirituali, op. 3 (1682).

SSATB bc•Concerti Spirituali, op. 3 (1682).
Stradella — Ave regina coelorum
SA bc

Alessandro Stradella, Composizioni Sacre da Chiesa (Modena, Biblioteca Estense Universitaria, Mus. F. 1140), cc. 41–48.

SA bc•Alessandro Stradella, Composizioni Sacre da Chiesa (Modena, Biblioteca Estense Universitaria, Mus. F. 1140), cc. 41–48.
Scarlatti — Toccata fuga in sol maggiore
Org solo
Melani — Salve regina
SSATB bc•1667

A. Melani (attrib., after 1667), Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, RISM I-Rism 94/19.

SSATB bc•A. Melani (attrib., after 1667), Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, RISM I-Rism 94/19.
Carissimi — O dulcissimum Mariae nomen
TB bc•1652

A. Poggioli, Delectus sacrarum cantionum 2–5vv (1652).

TB bc•A. Poggioli, Delectus sacrarum cantionum 2–5vv (1652).
Melani — Alma redemptoris
SSATB bc•1667

Münster, Diözesanbibliothek, Santini-Sammlung, Sant. Hs. 2658(11) (after 1667).

SSATB bc•Münster, Diözesanbibliothek, Santini-Sammlung, Sant. Hs. 2658(11) (after 1667).
Carissimi — Salve amor noster
SA bc•1665

Scelta de’ motetti da cantarsi […] Parte Prima (1665).

SA bc•Scelta de’ motetti da cantarsi […] Parte Prima (1665).
Pasquini — Variazioni dedicate a Monsignor Kaunitz
Org solo

Wien, Ms. XIV 74.

Org solo•Wien, Ms. XIV 74.
Scarlatti — Magnificat
SSATB bc

Münster, Diözesanbibliothek, Santini-Sammlung, Sant. Hs. 3874 (“Magnificat a cinque…”).

SSATB bc•Münster, Diözesanbibliothek, Santini-Sammlung, Sant. Hs. 3874 (“Magnificat a cinque…”).