INAUGURAL CONCERT

SANCTUS PETRUS ET SANCTA MARIA MAGDALENA, J.A. HASSE

SANCTUS PETRUS ET SANCTA MARIA MAGDALENA, J.A. HASSE
SANCTUS PETRUS ET SANCTA
MARIA MAGDALENA

A JOURNEY OF DEVOTION AND MUSICAL BEAUTY

Sanctus Petrus et Sancta Maria Magdalena is a masterpiece that combines emotional depth with the sophisticated musical style of the 18th century. Composed by the renowned German musician Johann Adolph Hasse, this oratorio is distinguished by its seamless blend of the sacred and the dramatic, uniting the elegance of the Baroque with the intense expressiveness of its voices and orchestration. First performed in 1758, the oratorio tells a story of faith, penance, and hope, centred around two pivotal figures of Christianity: Saint Peter and Mary Magdalene. Through an introspective and emotional approach, the composer effectively captures the essence of the inner conflicts faced by these characters, portraying them not just as religious figures, but as human beings grappling with guilt, redemption, and divine grace. The arias, choruses, and instrumental sections, each carefully crafted, create an atmosphere that encourages deep reflection on the nature of forgiveness and mercy. They guide the audience on a spiritual journey, offering a sensory experience that reignites the connection between music and religion, and between the human and the divine. This work will open the Easter edition of the Peralada Festival, performed for the first time in Spain by the Vespres d'Arnadí Orchestra under the musical direction of Dani Espasa, with the specialist voices of Valer Sabadus (St. Petrus), Marie Lys (St. Mary Magdalene), Maria Espada (Mary Jacobi), Rafael Quirant (Josephus), and Anna Alàs (Mary Salome) along with the participation of the Amics de la Unió Children's Choir. This project undoubtedly shows the Peralada Festival’s commitment to reviving musical heritage, offering an exceptional gem from the late Baroque period. que, sens dubte, reflecteix l’esforç del Festival de Peralada en la recuperació del patrimoni musical, en oferir aquesta inusual joia del barroc tardà.
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Carmen Church
Programme

Music by Johann Adolf HASSE (1699-1783) 

Oratorio in F major in two parts with a Latin libretto by an unknown author and music by Johann Adolph Hasse 

String orchestra and basso continuo. 

 

Premiered at the Ospedale degli Incurabili in Venice on Good Friday in 1758 

First performance in Spain 

Duration 90'

Artistic details

Valer SABADUS, Sanctus Petrus 

Marie LYS, María Magdalena 

Rafael QUIRANT, Joseph 

Maria ESPADA, María Jacobe 

Anna ALÀS  I JOVÉ, María Salomé 

 

VEUS - COR INFANTIL AMICS DE LA UNIÓ 

VESPRES D’ARNADÍ 

Dani ESPASA, musical direction 

 

Launch of the heritage recovery project by Festival Perelada