Poetry and music for the Jubilee. At the Duomo “Sacred Hymns – The Divine and the Human after the 20th century.”

A cycle of hymn-concerts at the Duomo of Livorno, one per month from January to December 2025, and an editorial collection to celebrate the Jubilee. This is the program of the exhibition “Sacred Hymns – The Divine and the Human after the 20th century”, curated by the Diocese of Livorno and the publishing house Sillabe in collaboration with Opera Laboratori.

The first hymn-concert is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, at 5 pm, at the Duomo of Livorno – Cathedral of San Francesco. It is entitled “Creation. The ballad of creation from the prism of science” and reflects on the figure of Niccolò Stenone, a Danish Catholic bishop from the Seventeenth century. The music chosen by the accordionist Massimo Signorini are Avun Avun, a sacred Armenian song from the Tenth century (Armenian Anonymous), and Ave Maria by Giulio Caccini (1551-1618).

On the occasion of the first hymn-concert, the entire editorial collection produced by Sillabe will also be presented, a Livorno-based publishing house that – for almost thirty years – has worked in the world of art and collaborated with the most important Italian museums. The collection consists of a publication for each hymn-concert for a total of twelve releases, available by contacting the publishing house Sillabe (scali d’Azeglio 22/24) or Livorno Store (via Cogorano 6/8). The last issue of the editorial collection will be enriched with a box to collect all the volumes.

“Every twenty-five years – is the presentation by Don Donato Mollica, episcopal regent of the Duomo of Livorno – the universal Church celebrates the jubilee year, a year of grace for the sanctification of all the faithful and the possibility of gaining plenary indulgence for oneself and for dear departed ones. This year, Pope Francis has wanted to dedicate it to hope, which, together with faith and charity, is one of the theological virtues. Along with hope, I believe it is right to join gratitude, that pleasant “emotion of internal lightness” that comes from gratitude.” “Feelings of gratitude – added Don Donato Mollica in reference to the “Sacred Hymns” exhibition – to Professor Pier Fernando Giorgetti who, with his work structured in twelve poetic hymns, will accompany us in spiritual and cultural growth inviting us to meditate on the relationship between God and man, accompanied by the dynamic and expressive polyphony of the accordion of Maestro Massimo Signorini who will know how to adorn the word with the sacredness of music.” Pier Fernando Giorgetti, historical professor of history and philosophy of the territory, is the author of numerous essays on Western philosophy. Massimo Signorini, accordionist and author of historical essays, is professor of accordion at the State Conservatory of Music Arrigo Boito in Parma.

Below is the complete program of the exhibition “Sacred Hymns – The Divine and the Human after the 20th century”:

Thursday, January 30, 5 pm

Creation. The ballad of creation from the prism of science

Music by Armenian Anonymous, Giulio Caccini (1551-1618)

 

Friday, February 14, 5 pm

St. Boniface. The apostle of Germany. Barbaric Middle Ages of Europe

Music by William Byrd (1551-1618), Claudio Merulo (1533-1604)

 

Thursday, March 27, 5 pm

St. Benedict and St. Columban. Barbaric Middle Ages of Europe

Music by Johannes Pachelbel (1653-1706), Francesco Gasperini (1668-1727)

 

Friday, April 11, 5 pm

Brothers all. Liberty. But deliver us from evil, Lord

Music by Le Chevalier de Saint George (1739-1799), Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)

 

Friday, May 2, 5 pm

St. John Nepomuk and St. Julia. The Livorno of saints

Music by Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739), Palmira Orso (1860-?)

 

Friday, June 20, 5 pm

St. John the Baptist. The “Faith” theological virtue

Music by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Giovanni Picchi (1571-1643)

 

Friday, July 18, 5 pm

St. James the Greater. The “Hope” theological virtue

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

 

Friday, August 29, 5 pm

St. Augustine. Revelation and reason: the Livorno Parish of San Jacopo

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)

 

Friday, September 19, 5 pm

Ave Maria of Mercy. The Patroness of Livorno and Tuscany

Music by Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945)

Friday, October 17, 5 pm

St. Francis. Patron of Italy and Holy patron of the Duomo of Livorno

Music by Franz Schubert (1797-1828), Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

 

Friday, November 21, 5 pm

St. Martin of Tours. The “Charity” theological virtue

Music by Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), Father Antonio Soler (1729-1783)

 

Friday, December 19, 5 pm

Christmas. The unveiled face of God

Music by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)