Jesi's Pergolesi Spontini Festival Defies Odds with World Premieres and Frederick II Theme
The Festival Pergolesi Spontini, held in Jesi, Italy, from September 1 to 25, 2016, celebrates Frederick II, who was born in Jesi on December 26, 1094. The event showcases three world premieres, a seldom-seen opera by Respighi (Re Enzo), sacred music, and a jazz segment. Despite facing cuts in public funding, it thrives through crowdfunding efforts and partnerships with religious organizations. One highlight is a theatrical festival by Franco Dragone, featuring music by Fabrizio Festa, drawing over three thousand attendees. Another premiere is Die Sarazenin, reimagined for Sicilian puppet theater by Gigi Borruso. Additionally, Ensemble Micrologus will perform ancient melodies, while the festival supports two operas in Ancona, a traditional opera season, ten symphony concerts, and twenty prose performances in Jesi.
Key facts
- Festival Pergolesi Spontini runs September 1–25, 2016 in Jesi, Italy.
- Theme is Frederick II, born in Jesi on December 26, 1094.
- Includes three world premieres and Respighi's rare opera Re Enzo.
- World premiere theatrical festival by Franco Dragone, music Fabrizio Festa, dramaturgy Vincenzo De Vivo, attended by over 3,000.
- World premiere Die Sarazenin based on Wagner libretto, adapted for Sicilian puppets.
- Ensemble Micrologus performed ancient songs on period instruments.
- Crowdfunding (30 sponsors) and religious collaborations offset public funding cuts.
- Festival is part of a larger cultural enterprise including opera in Ancona and other performances.
Entities
Artists
- Giuseppe Pennisi
- Franco Dragone
- Fabrizio Festa
- Vincenzo De Vivo
- Richard Wagner
- Gigi Borruso
- Roberto Lo Sciuto
- Valentina Console
- Salvo Bumbello
- Luciano Bumbello
- Valentina Casesa
- Patrizia Bovi
- Goffredo degli Esposti
- Gabriele Russo
- Simone Sorini
- Andrea Sorini
- Francesco Siciliani
- Ignazio Maria Mancini
- Franz Liszt
- Respighi
Institutions
- Festival Pergolesi Spontini
- Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini
- Teatro Massimo di Palermo
- Ensemble Micrologus
- Basilica di Loreto
- Eremo di Cupramontana
- Cappella Reale di Palermo
- Artribune
- Banca Mondiale
Locations
- Jesi
- Italy
- Ancona
- Palermo
- Monte Carotto
- Castelbellino
- Assisi
- Sicily
- Germany
- Provence
- Terra Santa