On October 25th, the Upper Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi hosted the special Jubilee event of the world premiere performance of Maestro Pietro Cangiano's Franciscan Triptych for soloists, choir, and orchestra, conducted by the composer himself. The event was produced by the Tanghetti e Chiari Foundation with the patronage of the Pontifical Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Embassy of Malta in Italy.
The concert, concluding the Assisi Pax Mundi 2025 international festival of sacred music, featured renowned artists such as tenor Michael Alfonsi and baritone Patrizio La Placa, accompanied by the Vittorio Calamani Umbrian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ars Cantandi Maltese Choir conducted by Maestro Mariella Spiteri Cefai. Numerous political, military, religious, and diplomatic dignitaries attended.
We asked the Artistic Director of the event and manager of Ars Cantandi, a Maltese company specialized in the planning and production of large events, Dr. Massimiliano Pulvano Guelfi di Scansano, How this event was born?
This event began over two years ago, when I presented this project to the Sacred Convent, designed to celebrate the eighth centenary of the Canticle of the Creatures by Saint Francis. Performing this latest musical gem by Pietro Cangiano in the most symbolic place of our Patron Saint, where his venerated limbs lie, was by no means easy. We must keep in mind that we are talking about a sacred place, where silence and meditation reign supreme, and musical activities are extremely limited and selective, as is right.
Our choir, who came from Malta, truly stood out for their quality and dedication. Singing in the vernacular isn't easy, even for us Italians! Many of the words are unusual and require a different delivery. A packed basilica, a full 10 minutes of thunderous applause, and 213 participants in the live stream are tangible evidence of the high level of appreciation for our event, as is the special report on Tg5 Mediaset.
Commitment and quality always pay off!”
Given its great success and public favor, will there be an opportunity to listen to it again?
"Definitely in 2026, on the occasion of the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis. In a new guise and with a specially created title for the event, it will be repeated in Malta, the Vatican, and a very important Italian institutional venue."
Photo by Sam Cefai
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