The legend of Saint Vitus, with a cruel Roman emperor, exorcism, miracles, and martyrdom in the Colosseum, was not enough drama for 17th-century Roman nobility; it needed a love story too! In Pasquini’s oratorio, the emperor’s son of legend becomes Valeria, the pretty emperor’s daughter who falls in love with Vitus. Now, that’s entertainment!
On this edition of Baroque&Before we’ll hear The Martyrdom of Saints Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia under the Tyranny of Diocletian, Bernardo Pasquini’s oratorio of 1687, featuring Ensemble Concerto Romano and vocal soloists in a recording made live in concert September 22, 2019 in Cologne’s West German Broadcasting House, as part of Forum Alte Musik Köln.
The program will be available as a stream for 30 days following the broadcast. A blue “Listen” button will appear when the stream is accessible.
