Alessandro Scarlatti: Christmas at the Bethlehem of the West. Music from Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome.

Featuring

Giulio Prandi
Deniel Perer
Carlotta Colombo
Ghislieri Consort
Ghislieri Choir
Alessandro Scarlatti

Giovanni Giorgi

Did you know?

1/7

Compositional Technique

The 'pastorale' musical style, characterized by a simple melody in triple time with a bass pedal, is a central feature of this album's program, evoking the pifferari (pipers) or shepherds of central and southern Italy.

Recording & Production

This recording is part of the 'Scarlatti Legacy' project by GhislieriMusica, a multidisciplinary initiative celebrating the 300th anniversary of Alessandro Scarlatti's death in 2025.

Historical Context

The ancient Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, founded in the 4th century, was known as a 'Bethlehem of the West' due to its preservation of relics related to the birth of Jesus, including remains of the Sacred Cradle.

Composer Biography

Alessandro Scarlatti's career was associated with both Rome and Naples, where he served as maestro of the royal chapel and the city's main opera composer, yet he remained closely tied to Roman patrons until his death.

Composer Biography

Alessandro Scarlatti, who died in 1725 at age 65, was a prolific and versatile composer whose output spanned nearly fifty years, encompassing opera, oratorio, cantata, and sacred music.

Composition History

Alessandro Scarlatti served as maestro di cappella at Santa Maria Maggiore for just over a year, but during that time, he composed the Messa per il Santissimo Natale specifically for the Christmas of 1707.

Compositional Technique

Scarlatti's Christmas pieces demonstrate his skill in matching different church music styles to liturgical moments, using 'a cappella' for processions, 'stile pieno' for solemn responsories, and 'concertato' for the Christmas Night Mass.