Among the thirteen oratorios by Giovanni Paolo Colonna, more than half are connected, by origin or tradition, to the court of Francesco II d’Este. Although in the early modern period the sacredness of monarchy was indisputable, it cannot be taken for granted that an oratorio was offered to a monarch in order to praise him unconditionally. Oratorios were often an instrument of admonition. This aspect is fully expressed in L’Assalonne, concerning familial and power entanglements between father and son. Maria Luisa Baldassari leads Ensemble “Les Nations” and a cast of 5 vocal soloists.

Leonardo Garcia Alarcon presents and contrasts two monumental works: a Messa Concertata by the choirmaster of the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna and the famous Dixit Dominus composed by George Frideric Handel in Rome in 1707. A fascinating comparison between a first recording of a forgotten masterpiece and a new interpretation of one of the most brilliant works by the young Handel, dazzled as he was by his discovery of the Italian Baroque.

The sumptuous music of Giovanni Paolo Colonna is brought to life in this concert to honour Bologna's patron saint at the Chapel of St Petronio Basilica - the very place in which this great musician was organist and chapel master in the mid-17th century. The works in this programme are rarely heard due to their grandiose proportions and virtuoso demands in performance. They include the colossal Dixit Dominus for two choirs, trumpet fanfare and strings, as well as the dazzling Beatus vir, possibly the earliest ever example of a concerto grosso.