The talent of the composer Marianne von Martines (1744-1812) took classical music beyond what was believed to be the abilities of a woman. Today, Wednesday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m., 32 musicians and 15 voices from the ESMUC Bottega d'Òpera fill the stage of the Petit Palau de la Música to pay tribute to him. Directed by the baton of Irene Delgado-Jiménez, the music school represents the oratorio of the composer Isacco, figure of the Redeemer.
The work combines vocal, musical and theatrical representation in a lively and abundant staging. The first and second year students of the ESMUC accompany the performance of the sopranos Mao Miyoshi, Arantza Prats and Ariadna Moraleda; the bariton Lluís Arratia, the tenor Alberto Espinosa and a choir of 10 voices. The oratorio maintains a balance between the vocal line and the orchestral accompaniment, which sometimes marks the singing of the performers.
Marianne von Martines premiered Isacco figure of the redeemer in 1882, at the Tonkünstler-Societät, together with works by J. Haydn, W. A. Mozart, L. Beethoven and G. F. Handel. It was one of the few opportunities that Martines had to exhibit her music in a completely public setting. The composer of Spanish origin wrote different cantatas and two oratorios with an Italian text by her friend, the poet Pietro Metastasio. One of them was Isacco, a figure of the Redeemer. In this booklet the teacher mixes his biblical and theological knowledge with poetry and drama.
Named Associate Fellow 2022-24 by the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship Foundation, Irene Delgado-Jiménez, also a graduate of ESMUC, directs the choir and orchestra in this work. The baton from Algecira assists, Marin Alsop's assistant in Vienna, and is currently the guest conductor of the Orquesta Tierras de Marca, in Barcelona.
Set designer Cesc Colomina directs the scene with the help of Carla Verdú. The main performers move around a stage split in two, separated by the musicians, while they fill the space with their voices. The performance is accompanied by a play of lights and projections, by Nerea M. Velasco, which change according to the tone and moment of the work.
