The traditional appointment with the cycle of concerts during the Lenten and Easter period organised by the Cultural Association IL MOSAICO in collaboration with the Compagnia di San Ranieri, thanks to the fundamental contribution of the Fondazione Pisa, and under the patronage of the Municipality of Pisa, is back.
All of high musical quality and originality, they are organised from time to time in different locations in the city: this year the Cathedral, the Church of Sant'Apollinare, the Church of San Michele degli Scalzi, the National Museum of San Matteo and other churches in the city, on the occasion of the concluding event ‘La notte bianca delle chiese’ (The White Night of the Churches) on Friday 6 June.
Now in its 13th edition, the cycle of concerts not only includes musical and cultural moments, but also offers an opportunity for prayer and meditation during the ‘strong’ time of Lent and the celebration of Easter, the most important solemnity for Christians, the certainty of our resurrection. The concerts take up the ancient custom of offering moments of reflection and spirituality during the Lenten period (once coinciding with the suspension of theatrical activity), borrowing the experience of the Concert Spirituel of the 18th century.
As per tradition, the concerts are free admission, thanks to the fundamental contribution of the Fondazione PISA and those of other sponsors, thus enabling participants to leave their own free and voluntary donation for the diocesan Caritas and Centro Aiuto alla Vita.
PROGRAMME
Saturday 12 April - 9 p.m. in the Cathedral, reading of the Passion of Luke by Andrea Buscemi and Martina Benedetti interspersed with musical motets performed by the Music Chapel of Pisa Cathedral conducted by Maestro Riccardo Donati. In the wonderful setting of the Cathedral, jubilee church and mother church of the Archdiocese, on the eve of the beginning of Holy Week, the poignant reading of the Passion of Luke with the masterful performance of a cappella motets performed by one of the oldest and most prestigious musical institutions in the world. The Passion Reading (in the version proclaimed on Palm Sunday) interspersed with interventions by the Cathedral's Musical Chapel is now a tradition in Lenten concerts and this year, given the solemnity of the Jubilee period, the Metropolitan Chapter of the Primaziale Pisana and the Opera della Primaziale Pisana have strongly desired its itinerant performance, with the musical ensemble conducted by Maestro Riccardo Donati performing in the other jubilee churches of the Diocese (on 25 March at the Madonna dell'Acqua in Cascina and on 3 April at the Duomo in Pietrasanta).
Wednesday 16 April - 9 p.m. - Holy Wednesday - ‘Lenten Meditations’ in the Church of Sant'Apollinare in Barbaricina, with the musical accompaniment of Lisetta Rossi on harp.
Saturday 26 April - at 9 p.m. - the eve of the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday - the Concert ‘In Ressurectione Domini’ of the Polyphonic Choir ‘Bruno Pizzi’ conducted by Maestro Chiara Mariani at the Church of San Michele degli Scalzi in Pisa. As per tradition, the concert is dedicated to Maj. Nicola Ciardelli, who died in Iraq on 27 April 2006, and to M° Fabrizio Casini, a musician from the area and friend of the Associazione Il Mosaico, who died during the Covid.
Sunday 4 May - 11 a.m. - ‘Ecstasy of Art’, a visit to the San Matteo National Museum, with musical interludes performed by various artists.
Friday 6 June, from 9 p.m. until midnight, ‘White Night of the Churches’, a guided tour of several places of worship along an itinerary in the Old Town, with musical entertainment by artists and city realities.
In addition to the six events, there will be the traditional Easter concert inside the Pisa Prison, specially reserved for prisoners and operators, which will take place on the morning of Holy Wednesday (16 April).
For more information, please contact +39 338 9912240 or ricbusc@tiscali.it.
