Celebrating 30 Years of I Cantori della Valtenesi Choir
Thirty years of singing, thirty years of successes, thirty years to remember—this is the essence of the first thirty-year celebration of the coro polifonico de “I cantori della Valtenesi”, which, with this evening’s event, Saturday, March 3rd, at the Santuario del Carmine church at 9:00 PM, will mark the end of their thirty years of activity.
A quite lengthy period for a choral group that boasts numerous concerts in Italy and abroad. A choir always led by its founder, Valerio Bertolotti, who still holds the position of director. The group was founded in Raffa di Puegnago in 1970 with an initially limited repertoire of liturgical music pieces.
Historical development and repertoire
Over time, and with the steady growth of professionalism and the vocal quality of the choir members, the repertoire expanded to include traditional music from Brescia and Verona. “We are in the 1970s, and Venetian and Friulian songs are thriving,” I Cantori della Valtenesi recall. “Thanks also to the music of Garzoni and Giusti, the latter being a respected musician from Desenzano.”
In the 1980s, besides international performances, the Choir performed in front of the Pope in St. Peter’s Square. They also participated in various Choral Festivals and took part in the national Choral Singing Competition in Vittorio Veneto, where they received very flattering reviews, especially for their expressive interpretative style.
More recent events and celebrations
In 1991, after a concert at the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi, “I Cantori” were invited to perform at the papal Mass for the XIII Anniversary of the Election of Giovanni Paolo VI, in the Lower Basilica of San Francesco.
Towards the end of ’99, the celebrations for the Choral Group began, culminating in tonight’s event promoted by the Assessorato alla Cultura del Comune di Puegnago del Garda. The program is rich and engaging, starting with a Gregorian chant “Salve Regina,” followed by “Sicut Cervus” by G. Pierluigi da Palestrina.
Subsequently, pieces such as Ludovico da Victoria’s Ave Maria, Gregor Aichinger’s Regina Caeli, Bruno Bettinelli’s Ave Verum, Igor Stravinsky’s Pater Noster, and Anton Bruckner’s Gradual will be performed.
In the second part, other works will be presented, including Stabat Mater, Pone Me, Ubi Caritas, and Esti Dal.
Grand finale and special guests
The grand finale will feature the participation of the “ex Cantori della Valtenesi,” who will perform three pieces: “Iubilate Deo” by W. A. Mozart, “Panis Angelicus” by Cesar Franck, and “Laudate Domini” by G. F. Händel. On the organ will be Ennio Bertolotti, with director Valerio Bertolotti, and the presentation by Enrico Raggi. Naturally, entry is free for all attendees.