Leonardo Vinci
Oratorio "Per la Madonna del Rosario"

The Oratorio “per la Madonna del Rosario”, premiered in modern times by Arsenale Sonoro for Elbphilarmonie Hamburg, definitely feels like a proper opera. It starts with a prologue set in Heaven and opens with a rich, joyful quartet. Then Maria and Angelo converse, extolling roses and lilies as the most beautiful flowers, emphasizing those that endure harsh conditions. Looking down to Earth, they  compare these flowers to Alba, a devout gardener who is enduring terrible pain, whom they vow to protect.

The narrative then unfolds with Alba, captured by the Moors led by evil Selim, lamenting her tragic fate: alone, on a boat, far away from home, carrying a bag with her husband’s bones and a son in her woumb. Selim, infatuated with her, tries to make her his lover, at first by attempting at seducing her, then threatening her with slavery and, ultimately, death. Nonetheless, Alba is able to resist his avances, receiving a visit from the Angel, who consoles and advises her to summon the Virgin Mary in her prayers. The first part ends with a jumpy quartet, in which an amused Selim challenges Alba to fight him whilst the two heavenly characters, invisible to the Moor, guard her.

The second part sees Alba alone, in chains, talking to her unborn son when the Virgin Mary comes to her, to help her with the delivery, meaning that her faith and suffering will be one day repaid. In the meantime, the Angel seeks to punish Selim, who can’t even see the force that is fighting him. He tryes once again to take advantage of Alba, now with a newborn in her arms, and, infuriated by her resistance, tries to kill her child. The Angel, sent by Mary, prevents the tragedy, allowing Alba to escape magically, leaving Selim to express bitter consternation. Alba and her baby are miraculously transported back home: she is now finally free to cultivate flowers, those lilies and roses so dear to the Virgin. The story concludes with Alba expressing gratitude to Mary, leading to a triumphant quartet dedicated to the mighty “Vergine del Rosario”.