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by Nicola Iannello 22 November 2019A review that brings great music to some of the most fascinating places in the Eternal City. The Rome Baroque Festival offers a series of concerts and musicological meetings that combine the Italian tradition from the sixteenth to the seventeenth century with contemporary music and jazz.

The 12th edition opens Sunday 24 November with a treat not to be missed: the first performance in modern times of the Mass for 5 voices, violins and organ of the Neapolitan musician Antonio Nola (1644-1701?). A composition transcribed from a precious manuscript preserved at the Girolamini Library in Naples and presented in concert by the Ensemble Festina Lente, led by Michele Gasbarro, the artistic director of the Festival. Appointment in the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Rome at 6.30pm. The performance will follow the liturgical-musical scan of a seventeenth-century Mass in Naples: the Ordinary, consisting of the Mass of Antonio Nola, will be alternated with instrumental and vocal pieces taken from the rich musical repertoire of the Neapolitan seventeenth century. In closing, in memory of the sacred seventeenth-century rites, the execution of the Salve Regina by Cesare Caresana, also taken from the rich heritage of the Girolamini Library. A confirmation of the Neapolitan musical vivacity, but also the expression of a 'school' that has become famous throughout Europe.

After Stefan Donner at the organ of San Pietro in Vincoli on Monday 25th, the event continues with a leap into contemporary music: on Wednesday 27th the Church of Santa Maria della Pace will host the premiere of Salvatore Sciarrino's Mutazioni , one of the most appreciated composers of today. His composition will be performed by the Furano Saxophone Quartet.

The other events of the Rome Baroque Festival will be welcomed by the Basilica of Sant'Eustachio, the Church of Santo Stefano del Cacco, the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, the Church of San Nicola da Tolentino, the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, the Church of Santa Lucia della Tinta, from the Church of Santa Maria dell'Anima, but also the University of Rome Tor Vergata, the Library of the Primoli Foundation, the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music.

Sunday 15 December the Oratory of the Caravita will host the first performance in modern times of the cantatas of Alessandro and Benedetto Marcello; they will be performed by Lucia Cortese and Camerata Accademica, directed by Paolo Faldi. Other first modern performances for compositions by Francesco Gasparini (18 and 19 December), Giovanni Bononcini (2 December), Francesco Severi and Virgilio Mazzocchi (11 December), the 18th century instrumental music for fortepiano preserved at the Casanatense Library in Rome (12 December) .

Also noteworthy is the crossover project between jazz and baroque, presented by Riccardo Fassi Analog Trio in collaboration with 'Ricercare Antico' (December 17): a way to let young people know their musical history, but also to relive it in the spaces of their everyday life , at the Liceo "Mamiani".