I fatti di Mosè revives Pasquini's forgotten 1687 oratorio in a vivid world-premiere recording of Roman sacred drama and colour anew.

I fatti di Mosé nel deserto (World Premiere Recording) presents a landmark rediscovery of late seventeenth-century Italian sacred music, bringing to light an oratorio by Bernardo Pasquini--one of the most esteemed composers of Baroque Rome. Released in 2025, this recording by Ensemble Locatelli marks the first time this work has been preserved and made available in modern performance, offering collectors and early music enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience a previously unheard masterwork from the golden age of the oratorio.

Pasquini (1637-1710), a central figure in the Roman musical establishment, was deeply embedded in the cultural and spiritual life that gave rise to the oratorio form. Trained in Tuscany and Ferrara before establishing himself in Rome, Pasquini served as organist at the Chiesa Nuova--closely tied to the legacy of St. Philip Neri, the founder of the oratorio tradition--and later held prestigious positions at Santa Maria Maggiore and other major institutions. His career brought him into contact with leading aristocratic patrons such as the Borghese and Chigi families, as well as collaborations with luminaries including Arcangelo Corelli. Renowned in his lifetime for both sacred and theatrical works, Pasquini's music reflects a synthesis of devotional intensity and dramatic expression characteristic of late Baroque Rome.

I fatti di Mosé nel deserto, composed in 1687 on a libretto by Giovanni Battista Giardini, forms part of an ambitious cycle of eight oratorios centered on the life of Moses. This particular installment explores the Israelites' years in the wilderness, a subject relatively rare within the oratorio repertoire yet rich in symbolic and theological resonance. The work emerges from a sophisticated interplay of religion, politics, and artistic expression, with subtle references to contemporary European power dynamics embedded within its narrative framework. Musically, the score is distinguished by its continuo-centered structure, allowing for a fluid and expressive interplay of timbres that heightens both its theatrical immediacy and spiritual depth.

This world premiere recording was prepared from manuscript sources preserved in the Este Library of Modena and transcribed by conductor Thomas Chigioni, whose interpretation emphasizes the work's dynamic contrasts and textural richness. Recorded at the Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo, the performance captures the immediacy and vitality of live Baroque music-making, with Ensemble Locatelli and Ensemble Vocale Locatelli delivering a historically informed yet vividly contemporary realization. The ensemble, founded in 2014 and recognized for its commitment to research-driven performance practice, has established itself as a leading voice in the revival of neglected repertoire, consistently presenting first recordings and innovative programming across Europe.

The release is further enhanced by a comprehensive scholarly presentation, including a detailed essay by Chiara Bertoglio that situates the work within the broader evolution of the oratorio genre and Pasquini's career. The accompanying materials provide extensive historical context, lyric transcriptions, and interpretive insights, making this edition not only a musical recording but also an essential document for understanding the cultural and artistic milieu of late seventeenth-century Italy.

As both a historical artifact and a living performance, I fatti di Mosé nel deserto stands as a significant addition to the Baroque discography. It illuminates a previously overlooked chapter in Pasquini's output while reaffirming the richness and diversity of the Roman oratorio tradition, offering listeners a profound encounter with music that is at once devotional, dramatic, and deeply human.

Additional Details

Label: DA VINCI CLASSICS

Genre: Classical

Run Time: 78 mins

Release Date: 09/18/26

UPC: 746160919102