AN UNDISCOVERED masterpiece is being brought back to life by a Warwick choir.
Armonico Consort will give the first performance in modern times of the oratorio Daniele by forgotten Baroque composer Francesco Scarlatti in Warwick on January 27 and Malvern on February 3.
The first edition of Francesco Scarlatti’s only surviving oratorio, Daniele – the biblical story of Daniel in the Lions’ Den – has been created by Dr Geoffrey Webber from the autograph score discovered in the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge.
Sicilian born Francesco Scarlatti was part of a famous musical dynasty but was entirely overshadowed by his more famous brother Alessandro and nephew Domenico, and died in obscurity in Dublin.
Dr Webber said: “Attention has always been focused on the more well-known members of the Scarlatti family and the relatively few pieces by Alessandro’s brother, Francesco, have largely been forgotten. The music of Scarlatti’s story of Daniel is exceptionally dramatic, making the most of the presence of lions and a fire-breathing monster, all tamed by the hero Daniel.”
Armonico Consort founder and director Christopher Monks added: “It’s thrilling to be bringing this amazing and totally undiscovered masterpiece to life again. And, as the five-star reviews and public acclaim for our concerts and recording of Francesco’s Dixit Dominus and Messa a 16 have proved, this is music that so deserves to be heard.”
For more information visit www.armonico.org.uk
