|
 News
of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, December 10, 2002 |
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Celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Brothers coming to Italy:
The official activities that celebrated the 300th anniversary of the
Brothers coming to Italy in 1702 ended this weekend with two events. |
 Basilica
of Santa Maria in Trastevere: On Saturday evening, November 23,
Lasallians from Italy and Europe gathered for a celebration in the
Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. The venue for the gathering was
well chosen. The church is probably the first official Christian place
of worship to be built in Rome. According to legend, the church was
founded by Pope Callixtus I in the 3rd century. The Cavallini Mosaics, which detail the
Life of the Virgin, were an impressive backdrop to an evening of
presentations and music.
 The
presentations, given (in order) by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray; Br. Álvaro
Rodríguez Echeverría, Superior General; Cardinal Paul Poupard (delivered
by Br. Jacques d'Huiteau, Visitor of France); Br. Mario Presciuttini,
Visitor of Rome; and Bishop Rino Fisichella detailed the many blessings
which have occurred in the intervening 300 years since our Founder, John
Baptist de La Salle, sent Br. Gabriel Drolin to Rome in the autumn of
1702.
The music for the evening's presentation was performed by the Coro "S.
Andrea" (Choir of Saint Andrew) and the Orchestra da Camera "Guido d'Arezzo" (Guido d'Arezzo Chamber Orchestra) of Milan.
 The
orchestra and chorus were conducted by Maurizio Mancino. The program
included works by Jan Dismas Zelenka, Alessandro Marcello, Charles
Gounod, Georg Friedrich Handel and Worfgang Amadeus Mozart. I found the
oboe solo in the second movement of Alessandro Marcello's "Concerto in D
minor" to be quite moving. Another CD to add to the collection.
The basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere was filled for the evening's
wonderful music and presentations. Congratulations and thanks to the
Brothers of Italy for their 300 years of service! |
 Casa
Generalizia: On Sunday morning, November 24, the festivities
continued, again with a standing-room only crowd, in the Sanctuary of
Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Mass for the Sunday was celebrated by
Cardinal Salvatore Pappalardo, an Affiliated member of the Institute. The
musical accompaniment for the Mass was again provided by the Coro "S.
Andrea" and the Orchestra da Camera "Guido d'Arezzo".
 Following the Mass, the orchestra and choir remained for
an impromptu
concert. Many of the congregation came forward to listen to this
small concert and get a close-up view. The acoustics in the small side
chapel were a delight to all who came forward. Encouraged by the
audience, they performed an encore performance of Handel's "Alleluia
Chorus" that was performed as the recessional for the Mass.
 Some
of the audience seemed to be as young as some of the members of the
orchestra and just as pensive. The music was superb and was a fitting
end to the celebration. Bravo to the orchestra and choir and to Maestro
Maurizio Mancino.
(Br. Donald Johanson) |
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