Musik und Bildende Kunst
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.
Programme
- Part 1 — Sacred
Melani — Quae est ista
- SSATB bc
- Concerti Spirituali, op. 3 (1682).
Quae est ista
Who is this
novi luminis aurora consurgens,
dawn of new light arising,
quae progreditur aeternis
who advances
irradiata fulgoribus,
bathed in eternal splendors,
quae tanta laetitia,
what joy so great,
qui tantus nitor,
what brilliance so bright,
quae nam ista est?
who indeed is this?
Coeli de super rorate
Heavens above, drop your dew,
prata floribus ridete
meadows, gleam with flowers.
novae lucis et beatae gaudete,
Delight in the new, blessed dawn,
novi luminis gaudete.
rejoice in the new light.
Haec est Maria
This is Mary,
quae pulchra, quae pia
so fair, so devout,
diffundit in ortu
who spreads at dawn
coelestes nitores,
her celestial splendor
date rosas, date flores,
offer roses, offer flowers,
tantae Virgini favete.
honor a Virgin so great
Coeli de super rorate
Heavens above, drop your dew,
prata floribus ridete.
meadows, gleam with flowers.
Quae nox dispergitur
How the night is scattered,
oritur, quae dies.
how the day is born!
Augustis facibus
With august torches,
telluris incole
dwellers of the earth,
aeterno lumini,
the Eternal Light,
coelorum ordines,
ranks of heaven,
plaudite
applaud!
exultat in cantu
Rejoice in song
cui grata lux est
who welcome the light,
et fremat in planctu
and groan in grief
cui pulchra nox est.
who cherish the night.
Iam dulcis in via,
Now, sweet in her ways,
formosa et decora,
lovely and graceful,
exultat aurora,
the dawn exults,
incedit Maria.
Mary comes forth.
Translation: Bas Cornelissen
Carissimi — O dulcissimum Mariae nomen
- TB bc
- A. Poggioli, Delectus sacrarum cantionum 2–5vv (1652).
O dulcissimum Mariae nomen,
O sweetest name of Mary,
nomen vere sanctissimum,
name truly most holy,
O nomen gratiae,
O name of grace,
semper cogitandum;
ever to be thought upon;
O solatium animarum,
O solace of souls,
nomen venerandum;
name to be revered;
O nomen caelicum,
O heavenly name,
et vere angelicum,
and truly angelic,
resonent ergo in ore omnium.
let it resound then on the lips of all.
O Maria, mater pia,
O Mary, loving mother,
nos defende in hac via;
defend us on this way;
nos tuere, nos guberna,
guard us, guide us,
duc nos tecum ad superna
lead us with you to the heights above.
Translation: Tempera Mente
Pohle — Miserere mei Deus
- CCATB bc
- Kassel, Universitätsbibliothek Kassel, Ms.mus 52e.
Miserere mei, Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness.
Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam
According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea:
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity:
et a peccato meo munda me
and cleanse me from my sin.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco
For I know my transgressions;
Et peccatum meum contra me est semper
And my sin is ever before me.
Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight;
Ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris
That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity;
Et in peccatis concepit me mater mea
And in sin did my mother conceive me.
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti:
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts;
incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi
and in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom.
Expiabis me Hyssopo et mundabor
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:
lavabis me et super nivem dealbabor
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitium
Make me to hear joy and gladness,
et exultabunt ossa quae contrivisti.
that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Text: Psalm 50•Translation: American Standard Version, 1901
Hammerschmidt — Wie der Hirsch schreyet
- CCB bc
- HaWV 63·Musikalische Andachten I (1639).
Wie der Hirsch schreit nach frischem Wasser,
As the hart panteth after the water brooks,
So schreit meine Seele, Gott, zu dir.
so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
Meine Seele dürstet nach Gott, nach dem lebendigen Gott.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:
Wann werde ich dahin kommen, daß ich Gottes Angesicht schaue?
when shall I come and appear before God?
Text: Psalm 42•Translation: King James version
Carissimi — Salve amor noster
- SA bc
- Scelta de’ motetti da cantarsi […] Parte Prima (1665).
Salve amor noster,
Hail, our love,
Salve nostra spes et vita,
Hail, our hope and life,
Salve, o Maria.
Hail, O Mary.
Vulnerasti me sagitta amoris tui,
You wounded me with the arrow of your love,
inflammasti me incendio charitatis tuae
you enflamed me with the fire of your charity,
amor meus, ardor meus,
my love, my ardor,
o Maria.
O Mary.
Ecce cor meum in desiderio,
Here is my heart in longing,
in desiderio decoris tui,
in longing for your beauty
o pulcherima mulierum
oh, most beautiful of women
solum ardet, solum languet.
it only burns, it only languishes.
Fulcite me floribus,
Sustain me with flowers,
stipate me malis
surround me with apples,
quia cor meum, amore Virginis,
for my heart, for love of the Virgin,
totum ardet, solum languet
burns wholly, only languishes,
quam pulchri sunt gressus tui
how beautiful are your steps,
quam in calceamentis filia principis.
like a prince’s daughter in her sandals.
Trahe nos post te,
Draw us after you,
curremus in odorem unguentorum tuorum
let us run toward the fragrance of your perfumes.
quam decora es, Regina caeli
How beautiful you are, Queen of Heaven,
in vestito deaurato,
clothed in gold,
circumdata varietate.
surrounded by splendor.
Voca nos, suscipe nos
Call us, receive us,
et serviemus tibi Regina coeli
and we shall serve you, Queen of Heaven
et mundi Domina
and Lady of the world.
Virgo potens, Virgo dulcis,
Mighty Virgin, gentle Virgin,
o Maria.
O Mary.
Te circumdent flores rosarum
May roses surround you with flowers,
te coronet serta stellarum
may garlands of stars crown you.
Virgo pulchra terrae,
Beautiful Virgin of the earth,
Virgo fulgens caeli lux
Radiant Virgin, light of heaven.
florete flores Virginis
Bloom, o virginal flowers!
fulgete serta siderum
Shine, o starry garlands!
Virgo noster odor est
Virgin, you are our fragrance,
Virgo nostrum iubar es
Virgin, you are our radiance,
agite, dulcite, dicite laudes.
go forth, with sweetness, proclaim praises.
Laudes dicamus Virgini
Let us sing praises to the Virgin,
dicamus illi canticum
let us chant a song to her,
que noster amor est
for she is our love,
et consolatio nostra
and our comfort,
et delectatio nostra,
and our delight,
spes nostra,
our hope,
amor noster.
our love.
Translation: Tempera Mente
Hammerschmidt — Herr, wie lange willst du mein so gar vergessen
- CCATB bc
- HaWV 140·Musikalische Andachten II (1641).
Herr, wie lange willst du mein so gar vergessen?
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord?
Wie lange verbirgst du dein Antlitz vor mir?
How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
Schau doch und erhöre mich, Herr, mein Gott!
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God!
Wie lange soll ich sorgen in meiner Seele
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
und mich ängsten in meinem Herzen täglich?
having sorrow in my heart daily?
Wie lange soll sich mein Feind über mich erheben?
How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
Schau doch und erhöre mich, Herr, mein Gott!
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God!
Erleuchte meine Augen, daß ich nicht im Tode entschlafe,
Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
daß sich mein Feind sich rühme, er sein mein mächtig worden,
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him,
und meine Widersacher sich nicht freuen, daß ich niederliege.
and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
Schau doch und erhöre mich, Herr, mein Gott!
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God!
Text: Psalm 13•Translation: King James Version
- Part 2 — Secular
D’India — Dispietata pietate
- ca 2:30
- CCATB bc
- Il Terzo Libro de Madrigali a 5 (1615), no. 1.
Dispietata pietate
Pitiless pity
fu la tua veramente, o Dafne, allora
was yours truly, O Daphne, then,
che ritenesti il dardo:
when you held back the dart:
però che’l mio morire
for my dying
più amaro sarà quanto più tardo.
will be more bitter the later it comes.
Ed or perché m’avvolgi
And now why do you lead me around
per sì diverse strade e per sì vari
by such diverse paths and such varied
ragionamenti invano? Di che temi?
reasonings, in vain? What do you fear?
Temi ch’io non m’uccida?
Do you fear that I might kill myself?
Temi del mio bene.
You fear for my own good.
Deh, lasciami morire in tante pene.
Ah, let me die amid so many pains.
Text: Torquato Tasso (1544-1595), Aminta•Translation: Tempera Mente
D’India — Langue al vostro languir l’anima mia
- ca 4:00
- TB bc
- Le Musiche a due voci (Venice, 1615), no. 2.
Langue al vostro languir l’anima mia,
My soul languishes at your languishing,
e dico: “Ah, forse a sì cocente pena
and I say: “Ah, perhaps to such burning pain
sua ferità la mena.”
her harshness drives it.”
O anima d’Amor troppo rubella,
O soul too rebellious against Love,
Quanto meglio vi fora
how much better it would be for you
provar quel caro ardor che vi fa bella
to feel that dear ardor that makes you beautiful
che quel che vi scolora?
than that which makes you pale?
Perché non piace alla mia sorte ch’io
Why does my fate not consent that I
arda del vostro foco e voi del mio
should burn with your fire, and you with mine?
Text: Giovanni Battista Guarini (1538–1612)
Monteverdi — Cor mio mentre vi miro
- ca 2:10
- CCATB
- SV 77·Il quarto libro de Madrigali a cinque voci (Venice, 1603), no. 2.
Cor mio mentre vi miro
My heart, while I gaze upon you,
visibilmente mi trasforma in voi
visibly transforms me into you;
e trasformato poi
and I, so transformed, then
in un solo sospiro l’anima spiro.
breathe out my soul in a single sigh.
O bellezza mortale
O mortal beauty,
o bellezza vitale
o beauty full of life,
poi che sì tosto un core
since a heart, so swiftly,
per te rinasce e per te nato more.
is reborn for you, and, once born, for you dies.
Text: Battista Guarini (1538–1612)•Translation: Tempera Mente
Mazzocchi — Pian piano
- ca 5:00
- CCATB bc
- Madrigali a cinque voci, e d’altri varii Concerti (Rome, 1638), no. 8.
Pian piano, aure tranquille
Hush, hush, quiet winds
non destate costei.
do not wake her up.
Dormono i dolor miei;
My sorrows sleep;
deh, fermatevi! o venti:
ah, stop!, winds:
dormono i miei tormenti.
my torments rest.
Ma destatela pur, che mai non posa
In fact, wake her!, for is never asleep
beltà crudel che m’è nel petto ascosa.
the cruel beauty concealed in my bosom.
Text: Alessandro Adimari (1579–1659)•Translation: Campelli/CPLD
Strozzi — Le tre grazie a venere
- ca 3:20
- CCC bc
- Op. 1/11·Il Primo Libro di Madrigali, op. 1 (Venice, 1644).
Bella madre d’Amore
Beautiful mother of Love,
anco non ti ramembra
do you still not recall
che nuda avesti di bellezze il grido,
that when naked, you already had beauty’s renown,
In sul Troiano lido
on the Trojan shore,
dal giudice Pastore?
by the shepherd’s judgement?
Onde se nuda piaci
So if you even when naked please
In sin à gl’occhi de bifolchi idei
the eyes of the Idaean herdsmen,
vanarella che sei,
vain little thing that you are,
perché vuoi tu con tanti adobbi e tanti
why do you want, with so very many adornments,
ricoprirti a gl’amanti?
to cover yourself again before your lovers?
O vesti le tue Grazie e i nudi Amori
Oh, clothe your Graces and the naked Loves,
o getta ancor tu fuori
or else cast out as well
gl’arnesi I manti e i veli:
the gear, the mantles, and the veils:
di quelle care membra
of those dear limbs
nulla si celi.
let nothing be hidden.
Tu ridi e non rispondi
You laugh and do not answer,
Ah tu le copri si tu le nascondi
ah, you cover them, yes, you hide them
Che sai ch’invoglia più che più s’apprezza
for you know that the more it is prized, the more it entices,
la negata bellezza.
beauty that is denied.
Text: Giulio Strozzi (1583 - 1660)•Translation: BC/Tempera Mente
Monteverdi — Luci serene e chiare
- ca 3:50
- CCATB
- SV 81·Il quarto libro de Madrigali a cinque voci (Venice, 1603), no. 7.
Luci serene e chiare,
Serene and clear eyes,
voi m’incendete, voi, ma provi il core
you set me afire, but the heart feels
nell’incendio diletto, non dolore.
in the burning, delight, not pain.
Dolci parole e care,
Sweet and dear words,
voi mi ferite, voi, ma prova il petto
you wound me, you; but the breast feels
non dolor nella piaga, ma diletto.
not pain in the wound, but delight.
O miracol d’amore!
O miracle of Love!
Alma ch’è tutta foco e tutta sangue
A soul that is all fire and all blood
si strugge e non si duol, more e non langue.
melts yet does not grieve, dies yet does not languish.
Text: Ridolfo Arlotti•Translation: Tempera Mente
Mazzocchi — Uscite a mille a mille
- ca 2:40
- CCATB
- Madrigali a cinque voci, e d’altri varii Concerti (Rome, 1638), no. 1.
Uscite a mille, a mille dal mio petto, o sospiri
Go forth by the thousands, by the thousands, from my breast, o sighs
Ch’entro a musici giri raccor vi deve
which must gather you within musical rounds
e poi spiegarvi al vento
and then unfurl you to the wind:
L’adorata cagion del mio tormento
the adored cause of my torment.
E così risonar faravvi Amore
And thus Love will make you resound
Ne le sue labra almen, se non nel core.
in her lips at least, if not in her heart.
Text: Pier Francesco Paoli (1585–c. 1638)•Translation: Tempera Mente
Performers
- Janneke Stoute soprano
- Iris Bouman mezzo
- Anna Bachleitner alto
- Carlos Negrín tenor
- Bas Cornelissen bass
- Riccardo Casamichiela harpsichord
Composers
- Alessandro Melani 1639–1703
- Giacomo Carissimi 1605–1674
- David Pohle 1624–1695
- Andreas Hammerschmidt 1611/12–1675
- Sigismondo D’India c.1582–1629
- Claudio Monteverdi 1567–1643
- Domenico Mazzocchi 1592–1665
- Barbara Strozzi 1619–1677