The Italian Symphony is one of the most popular pieces in the entire orchestral repertoire. It takes its name from the journey that took the young Mendelssohn through cities such as Venice, Florence, Milan, Rome and Naples. There is evidence that some excerpts are associated with lived experiences, such as the Saltarello from the last movement. In those years, the early 1830s, Rossini was living luxuriously in Paris and had surprised everyone by giving up composing at the age of just 37. The farce Il Signor Bruschino had been premiered in 1813 at a theater in Venice. In 1917, in Rome, Ottorino Respighi used four lute pieces from the late 16th century to recreate ancient sounds in the light of the “new times”.
Around Italy
Metropolitan Academic Orchestra
G. Rossini Overture to the farce Il Signor Bruschino
O. Respighi Arias and Old Dances for Lute, Suite No. 1
F. Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4, Italian (rev. 1834)
Jean-Marc Burfin and/or Orchestra Conducting Students – ANSO musical direction
