Oratorio per la Settimana Santa - Rossi

At the intersection of musical theater and spiritual meditation, William Christie invites us to rediscover one of the founding milestones of the Italian oratorio: Luigi Rossi’s all-too-rarely performed Oratorio per la Settimana Santa…

Composed around the mid-17th century, the Oratorio per la Settimana Santa illustrates the profound aesthetic transformation of the nascent Baroque, at the crossroads of musical theater and spiritual meditation, with its emphasis on the text, expressive intensity, dramatization of emotions, and harmonic refinement. Intended for Holy Week, it does not adhere to strict liturgy but rather creates a space for musical contemplation where biblical narrative becomes human introspection. Rossi employs a highly modern compositional style here, using the voice as a vehicle for direct emotion, foreshadowing the future developments of opera. This balance between spiritual fervor and dramatic intensity gives the work its power; through its universal themes - suffering, hope, compassion, and redemption - it resonates with all sensibilities, transcending cultures and eras. 

Despite its historical and artistic significance, the Oratorio per la Settimana Santa is rarely performed today. This new concert production by Les Arts Florissants therefore offers a precious opportunity to discover this musical heritage, of which William Christie and Les Arts Florissants are among the greatest contemporary interpreters.