Venecie mundi splendor: Marvels of Medieval Venice La Reverdie

• Doge Francesco Dandolo (1329-1339)
• 1Marchetto da Padova (circa 1274 – fl. 1305-1319): Ave Corpus Sanctum / Adolescens protomartir03:46
• Doge Marco Cornaro (1365-1368)
• 2Anonymous: Marce, Marcum Imitaris [Venice, 1365]04:25
• Doge Andrea Contarini (1368-1382)
• 3Francesco Landini (circa 1325-1397): Principum nobilissime ducatum Venetorum (arr. D. Sherwin)03:17
• Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413)
• 4Johannes Ciconia (1370-1412): Venecie, mundi splendor / Michael, qui Stena domus03:40
• Doge Tommaso Mocenigo (1414-23)
• 5Antonius Romanus (fl. 1400–1432): Ducalis sedes / Stirps Mocenigo04:39
• Doge Francesco Foscari (1423-1457)
• 6Hugo de Lantins (vor 1400 - nach 1430): Christus vincit02:56
• 7Carminibus festos / O requies populi03:54
• 8Gloria07:08
• 9Credo09:18
• 10Gloria 204:37
• 11Aurea flammigera04:44
• 12Christoforus de Monte (ca. 1383 - 1437): Plaude decus mundi04:34
• Total Runtime56:58

Info for Venecie mundi splendor: Marvels of Medieval Venice

Recorded in the bright acoustics of the Cenacolo of San Giorgio Maggiore Monastery in Venice, the new recording project of La Reverdie brings together, for the first time, musical compositions written approximately between 1330 and 1430 in honour of the Venetian Doges or for the city of Venice itself. The title is borrowed from the text of one of the most famous motets composed by Johannes Ciconia on the occasion of the submission of the Comune of Padua to the Republic of Venice, which occurred in 1406. The project includes the nine ceremonial motets that, according to the latest research, were composed to commemorate political, diplomatic or devotional events as well the election of the Doge. The composers include Marchetto da Padova, Francesco Landini, Johannes Ciconia, Antoinius Romanus, Cristoforo de Monte and Hugo Lantins. The choice to make use of a rich and varied ensemble, with ample participation of both singers and instrumentalists, is intended to properly render the extravagant and festive qualities of this repertoire, conceived for the most sumptuous state celebrations.

La Reverdie

La Reverdie
In 1986 two pairs of young sisters from Italy (Claudia e Livia Caffagni, Elisabetta ed Ella de Mircovich) founded the Medieval ensemble LaReverdie: the name, derived from a poetic genre that celebrates the return of Spring, reveals perhaps the principal trait of a group that for 25 years now has captivated audiences and critics alike for the variety in its approach to the vast and varied musical repertoire of the Middle Ages and first Renaissance.

Since 1993 the famous cornetto player Doron David Sherwin is member of the group, both as player and singer.

In 2008 Ella de Mircovich, who had led several projects - basically conceived from an anthropological and literary point of view - dealing with a mainly North European repertoire, said farewell to the group: a divorce due to overwhelming artistical disagreements.

Presently the ensemble performs in groups from three to fourteen musicians, depending on the repertoire.

The deep research, together with the experience achieved thanks to the long and intense activity, have made laReverdie an absolutely unique ensemble, both for the extraordinary enthusiasm they share and communicate to their audiences, as well as for their assured and natural virtuosity in playing and singing.

They have recorded 18 Cds, 14 for Arcana and co-produced by the German broadcast company WDR, which have received various awards from the European press, such as the Diapason d’Or de l’Année (the first awarded to an Italian ensemble in the category of Early Music), eight Diapasons d’Or, thirteen 10 de Répertoire, three 10 from Crescendo, two ffff from Télérama, three “5 stars’ from Musica and one A from Amadeus. In 2000 the Festival International de Santander chose a live recording of a concert given by the group that year to be issued as a CD with the title laReverdie en Concierto. The recent CD "Carmina Burana - Sacri Sarcasmi" (Arcana A353) is one of the three Finalist 2010 Midem Classical Awards in the category Early Music.

Since 1997 the group’s members have been involved in teaching at summer courses as well as masterclasses and regular instruction at institutes.

laReverdie has collaborated, for special project, with Franco Battiato, Moni Ovadia, Carlos Nunez, Teatro del Vento.

For the 2010 season of Ravenna Festival laReverdie, together with Gérard Dépardieu, presented a specially created program of music together with selected readings from the Confessions of St. Augustine in the Basilica of Santa Apollinare in Classe to widespread critical acclaim.

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