This oratorio by the very young composer Federico Perotti tells the story of Franca da Vitalta, a woman from a noble family that, at the age of seven - in 1182 - entered by her own wish into the Benedictine monastery of S. Siro in Piacenza. At age twenty-three, upon the death of the abbess, she was unanimously elected as new superior mother, and, because of her strict observance of the Benedictine Rule, she was then faced with various conflicts amongst sisters also coming from noble families. According to the tradition, in 1273 she was canonised by Pope Gregorio X. Her cult is now still strong and alive in the city and province of Piacenza. Remembered by the Catholic Church on the 26th of April and her remains are now preserved in Piacenza, in the church dedicated to St. Raimondo. Federico Perotti creates a libretto on three temporal levels: the first is set in the years of the saint's life, the second consisting of the biography that the historian Pier Maria Campi wrote in the early seventeenth century, and the third, external to the actions, is limited to observing and describing the passage of time.

Tracklist:

Franca Da Vitalta: Introduzione
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 1 "La Tempesta": No. 1, Conditor Alme Siderum
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 1 "La Tempesta": No. 2, Dov’è Il Vino Che Manca?
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 1 "La Tempesta": No. 3, Franca È Troppo Rigida E Inadatta
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 1 "La Tempesta": No. 4, In Circostanze Dure E Contrarianti
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 1 "La Tempesta": No. 5, Lei Buona, Lei Cara
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 1 "La Tempesta": No. 6, Binia, Non Mentire!
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 2 "L'incontro": No. 7, Christe Redemptor Omnium
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 2 "L'incontro": No. 8, Mi Chiamo Carenzia
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 2 "L'incontro": No. 9, Mandata Dalla Provvidenza
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 2 "L'incontro": No. 10, Prendi La Strada Per Il Mare
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 3 "Montelana": No. 11, Audi Benigne Conditor
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 3 "Montelana": No. 12, Il Signore Volendo Trattenere Un’altra Anima
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 3 "Montelana": No. 13, Benedic Anima Mea Domino
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 4 "Il Trapasso": No. 14, Iesu Nostra Redemptio
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 4 "Il Trapasso": No. 15, Perché Rifiuti Il Medico?
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 4 "Il Trapasso": No. 16, Così Lui Volle Per Me
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 4 "Il Trapasso": No. 17, Ci Porgeva Ricordi Salutari
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 4 "Il Trapasso": No. 18, Davanti All’altare
Franca Da Vitalta, Pt. 4 "Il Trapasso": No. 19, Sorelle Vivete Nell’onestà

UPC: 8007194107036
Label: Tactus Records
Release Date: 7.5.19
Format: CD

Perotti - Franca Da Vitalta (CD)