It's been 500 years since Titian completed his famous altar piece for the basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and this afternoon, on the Feast of the Assumption, the work and its subject were celebrated with an inspired performance of Monteverdi's Ad Vesperum Assumptionis Sanctae Mariae Virginis by I Solisti della Cappella Marciana, under the direction of Marco Gemmani, sung from the top of the 15th century choir stalls, just a stone's throw from the composer's final resting place at the front of the church, and performed as the piece was thought to have been performed on this day in 1640.
I wonder why the powerful and wealthy lost interest at re-investing in to art and architecture. It’s because the structure of power has shifted more and more towards fiscal heavens?
ReplyDeleteLiving in Venice sets the standard at very high level. Traveling the world made me realize how un-beautified most cities are. Albeit the latter can be an effect of the former, I believe a high density of art and architectural beauty enlightens minds and elevates life.