Scherzi Musicali: EML 1st October

[doversoul1]

The exciting young Belgian ensemble Scherzi Musicali performs Antonio Bertali's oratorio 'La Maddalena', recorded at the Regensburg Early Music Festival. With anywhere from three to over twenty musicians, the ensemble was founded and is directed by Nicolas Achten, who sings and simultaneously accompanies the ensemble on the lute, the harp, and the harpsichord, reviving this forgotten practice.
Presented by Elin Manahan Thomas

Monteverdi: Prologue (Su le penne de' venti) to 'La Madddalena'
Mutio Effrem: Frà le rugiade eterne
Alessandro Ghivizzani: Da la fonte del core
Mutio Effrem: Anime fortunate
Salomone Rossi: Spazziam pront' o'vecchiarelle
Antonio Bertali: La Maddalena

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b095q2xl

[doversoul1]

Thank you Host for correcting the date.

[ardcarp]

No prob.

[doversoul1]

A wonderful cantata/oratorio (what’s the difference?) I take it that this, or the recording is/was the world premier. Here’s more information.

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/bertali-la-maddalena

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A wonderful cantata/oratorio (what’s the difference?)

About two hours.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Less facetiously ( ) - broadly speaking (there are always exceptions) a Baroque Oratorio takes an extended story from the Bible (often, though not always, from the Old Testament) and treats it like an Opera; a dedicated event (not part of a Church service) with solo Arias, Duets, recitatives, Choruses ... but without staging (so no movement, scenery, costumes, etc). A cantata is usually much shorter, can be for solo voice(s), based on a sacred or secular text, and could be used as part of a Church Service.

Loads of exceptions - Bach's Easter and Ascension Day Oratorios are long Cantatas, and his Christmas Oratorio is a collection of six (long-ish) Cantatas meant to be performed on six different Services during the Christmas festival.

But, essentially, the main difference remains ... about two hours!