This recording is released on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the death of Antonio Giannettini (1649-1721), a composer almost unknown today, who musically can be placed on a level with Stradella and Pasquini, generally regarded as the pinnacle of late 17th century Italian music. Giannettini received his training from Sebastiano Enno, Carlo Grossi and probably from Giovanni Legrenzi in Venice. He worked at St Mark's Cathedral from 1674, first as a singer and from 1677 as an organist. In 1686 he was appointed maestro di cappella at the court of Modena, a position he was to hold until his death in 1721. Giannettini wrote about 20 stage works, oratorios, cantatas, masses and other sacred music. The oratorio "L'uomo in bivio" (The Man at the Crossroads), written in Modena in 1687, has a remarkable theological content: an angel and the devil fight for the soul of a young man. In the dispute, the devil initially prevails, winning the man over with earthly pleasures and the figure of a lovely girl. But the angel does not give up: With the terrible vision of the girl's rotting body in an open grave, he induces him to repent, and the man chooses the path of faith. The Devil goes back to hell, and the doors of Paradise are opening for an happy end.

Tracklist:

L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 1, Sinfonia
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 2, Da La Reggia Superna
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 3, Oh Dal Fiato Di Dio
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 4, Mortali, Alla Gloria!
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 5, Sprezza Dunque La Terra
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 6, Queste Note Amorose
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 7, Quand'a Indorar
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 8, Turbano Queste Voci
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 9, O Tu, Ch'il Dolce Suono
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 10, Ben È Folle Chi Perde
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 11, Così L'uomo, Agitato
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 12, Mentitor, Vantator
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 13, E Mentre Naufragando
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 14, Ingombrato Intelletto
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 15, Io, Che Dispenso Amor
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 16, Con Tai Note Vezzose
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 1: No. 17, È Un Lampo Fugace
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 1, A Guerra, A Battaglia!
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 2, Eccoci Pronte All'opra
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 3, E In Questo Dir Vibrando
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 4, Qual Splendor Luminoso
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 5, Così, Qual Forsennato
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 6, Antri Mortiferi
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 7, Ma In Lagrimosi Lutti
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 8, Ferma, Misero, Ferma!
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 9, China Lo Sguardo A Terra
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 10, All'orribil Aspetto
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 11, Ahi! Che Veggio!
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 12, Custode Celeste
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 13, Ecco L'eccelso Monte
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 14, Rugge Intanto Satana
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 15, Tenta Fuggire Invano
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 16, Ma Con Ira Celeste
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 17, Chi Cade E Risorge
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 18, Sì, Mi Pento E Piango
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 19, Queste Lagrime Che Versi
L'uomo In Bivio, Pt. 2: No. 20, Beato Chi Segue

UPC: 8424562235243
Label: Glossa
Release Date: 4.16.21
Format: CD

Giannettini / Cantar Lontano / Mencoboni - L'uomo In Bivio (2pk) (2 CD)