Also this year – on the occasion of the celebrations for the solemnity of Maria Assunta in cielo, patron saint of our Cathedral – the “Musical Firmament” initiative is proposed, promoted by the Chapter of the Cathedral of Como, in collaboration with the Musical Association Amici dell’ Organo di Breccia.
The Firmament route will take place from 6 to 14 August: sounds, images, words and music will not only echo under the illuminating vaults of the Cathedral but also in the ancient church of S. Carpoforo and in the provostral church of S. Cassiano in Breccia.
In the Cathedral, in addition to the evenings in which the monumental Balbiani organs (over 6500 pipes) will resonate with solo concerts accompanied by instruments and singers, an appointment will be proposed to discover the artistic ‘treasures’ of the Cathedral: harmony inscribed in art, with musical accompaniment and reading of some texts.
The sound of the organ will accompany the prayer of the First Vespers of the solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, on the final evening of the festival where the path is oriented, prayerfully, towards the Virgin whose head is crowned with stars.
The ‘external’ events at the Cathedral will be on August 10, with the duo Cécile Prakken and Motoko Tanaka (flute and harp) and on August 13 in the parish church of Breccia, on the occasion of the celebrations for the patron saint, with the Siegfried Quartet (viola, cello and violins).
Various organists will alternate at the organ console of the Cathedral: in addition to the titular Lorenzo Pestuggia, there will be Mattia Marelli, Giulio Piovani (in collaboration with the “Organ paths in the Province of Como” festival), Alessandro Bianchi and Marco Vincenzi with the Sophia Trio (soprano organ and trumpet). In short, a kaleidoscope of artistic and musical timbres and colours that reveal the unique beauty of art and music, born for the glory of God and the sanctification of man.
Don Nicholas Negrini
Cappella Master of the Cathedral
