Sacred Music For The Poor At Santa Maria In Rome

The urban district in Rome called Vallicella lies near the Tiber River, where the danger from flooding used to be greatest. Located directly at the centre of the metropolis today, the district was overpopulated during the 17th century with people living in the poorest conditions. This caused the priest and later Saint Filippo Neri to move his missionary activities to Vallicella. Still impressive today is the beautiful church Santa Maria in Vallicella in the heart of this district and the Oratorium attached to it, the centre for the order founded by Neri in which music played a fundamental role. Music was a very important medium for the missionaries in the spreading of their message, and this led to a multifaceted and very specific production of music. This repertoire, a link between sophisticated and popular music, represents an important part of Roman cultural history, also generating one of the most beautiful points of contact between simple people and art music. The ensemble Concerto Romano and their leader, Alessandro Quarta, reside in Rome; they succeed magnificently in bridging this gap anew, bringing together the two sides, so different as they were. With their collection of lauds, canzone and frottole, mixed with dance-like instrumental music, they create an incredibly vital sonic image of the seething pulse of the Holy City during the 17th century.

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