An interesting and goliardic representation of Bologna at the beginning of the seventeenth century is proposed to us by the Dramatodia theatrical company directed by Alberto Allegrezza and with the participation of Enrico Bonavera. The theme is the Carnival, the texts are by the storyteller, writer and poet Giulio Cesare Croce and the music by the brilliant and non-conformist Olivetan friar Adriano Banchieri. The irresistible combination formed by these two authors stages an irreverent and paradoxical triumph of hyperbole, satire, jokes and double meanings, which find their expression - at the same time popular and artistic - in the dramaturgic representations linked to the commedia dell'arte and in the musical forms of the time such as the villanella, the canzonetta and the ballet.

It was 1865, the sixth centenary from the birth of Dante Alighieri, when it was decided to erect a statue of the poet in Piazza dei Signori, a work made by Ugo Zannoni, challenging the Austrian nomination which at that time ruled the region until the following year. In the very same year, in the province of Verona (S. Martino Buon Albergo), Dionigio Canestrari was born, a composer of countless works for organ and the liturgy, inspired from his keen reading of Dante in composing some of his best musical pieces on his Divina Commedia. The album includes an anthology of chamber lyrics and instrumental pieces for various vocal textures with the accompaniment of the piano and the harmonium. Marcello Rossi concerts and leads the singers and musicians in this world premiere recording by the Veronese composer.