I Musici (c. 1595) by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610)

This unique concert presents a recital of the madrigals by depicted by the Baroque painter Caravaggio in four of his works. In the painting Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Joseph holds a music score for an angel playing a viol. The score is from a motet by Noël Bauldewijn, titled Quam pulchra es based on the Song of Songs. In The Lute Player, the music score prominently features the text from a  madrigal by Jacques Arcadelt, Chi potrá dir quanta dolcezza provo. In Caravaggio's The Musicians, the music score is central to the scene, though it is now largely illegible due to damage it has been identified as the madrigal Ben può di sua ruina composed by Pompeo Stabile. The source for the score depicted by Caravaggio in the painting Amor Vincit Omnia is uncertain. For this concert the madrigal Di baciar que’ begl’occhi by has been selected Gaspare Murtola who had dedicated his poems to Caravaggio, on the theme of conquering love. The programme includes other madrigals from the Baroque period, masterfully interpreted by Malta’s national choir KorMalta and lutenist Renato Cadel under the direction of Riccardo Bianchi.

Programme

Rest on the Flight in Egypt

Giovanni Animuccia (1514-1571) O Vergine Reina   

Noel Bauldewijn (c.1480-1529) Quam pulchra es

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) Pulchra es amica mea

The Lute Player

Luca Marenzio (1553-1599) Mentre avrà stelle il ciel

Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger (1580-1651) Toccata

Jacques Arcadelt (c.1505-1568) Chi potrá dir quanta dolcezza provo

The Musicians

Luca Marenzio Chiudete o Muse

Pompeo Stabile (c1560) Ben può di sua ruina

Jacques Arcadelt O felici occhi miei

Amor Vincit Omnia

Luca Marenzio Al primo vostro sguardo

Pietro Paolo Raimondo (d.1647) Vestiva i colli (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina)

Stefano Bernardi – Gaspare Murtola (published 1616) Di baciar que’ begl’occhi

Giovanni Giacomo Gastoldi (c.1554-1609) Amor Vincitore

Credits

choir director - Riccardo Bianchi

lutenist - Rentato Cadel

choir - KorMalta

narrator - Marc Cabourdin

Biographies

Riccardo Bianchi

Riccardo Bianchi is a conductor from Varese, Italy. He serves as the Artistic Director and Chorus Master of KorMalta, Malta's National Choir, and as the Musical Director of the Orchestra Sacro Monte di Varese. Bianchi has received notable awards, including two Special Commendations at the London 2015 Conducting Competition for his performance of Beethoven's works. He holds degrees from the Conservatorio “G. Tartini” in Trieste and the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano, with a focus on contemporary music. Bianchi has conducted several prominent orchestras, including the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Classical Soloists. He has collaborated with renowned soloists and stage directors and has premiered works by contemporary composers. His operatic debut was with Puccini's "Suor Angelica" in 2018, followed by Mozart's "Don Giovanni" in 2019.

Renato Cadel

Renato Cadel is an Italian baritone, lutenist and gregorianist. He pursued his musical education at the Conservatories of Pavia and Lugano, while also earning a cum laude degree in Philosophy. Cadel has collaborated with numerous esteemed early music ensembles, including Accademia Bizantina, Accademia d’Arcadia, Coro e Orchestra Ghislieri, Cremona Antiqua, Erato Choir, La Fonte Musica, La Venexiana, and Quartetto di Liuti da Milano. He is the founder and conductor of the Schola Gregoriana Ghislieri. As an interpreter of contemporary music, he has premiered works by composers such as C. Boccadoro, N. Campogrande, F. Hoch, M. Magistrali and F. Perotti. His extensive discography includes recordings for prominent labels like Amadeus, Arcana-Outhere, Brilliant Classics, ClassicVoice, Concerto Classics, Glossa, Naïve, Sony, and Tactus. Additionally, Cadel engages in educational and outreach activities, partnering with institutions such as the Certosa Museum of Pavia, the Conservatory of Milan, RAI Radio 3, and Radio Television Española.

KorMalta

KorMalta, Malta's National Choir, was established in 2018 by the Arts Council Malta. Under the artistic direction of Riccardo Bianchi, the choir has presented acclaimed performances such as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Holst's The Planets and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms. They have collaborated with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and participated in operas like Rossini's Otello and Mascagni's Le Maschere. KorMalta is known for its musical eclecticism and innovative performances, often combining music with other art forms. The choir provides professional training through masterclasses and workshops. Riccardo Bianchi, the choir's director, is a conductor with a background in choral and orchestral conducting, having studied at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi and Accademia Musicale Chigiana di Siena.