Isacco Columbo is a wonderful musician that I met back in Legnano, Italy when The Rose Ensemble was invited to participate in La Fabbrica del Canto in 2008. We became fast friends and invited him to become a part of our Il Poverello: The Life & Legacy of St. Francis of Assisi. This is his 3rd trip to the US and to Minnesota, and it’s fun showing him all the cultural diversity as we travel around the country. This weekend, we will be in South Orange, NJ and Ithaca, NY. We have the luxury of staying an extra day, so it will be wonderful exploring the Finger Lakes region of New York State with our friend.
We are on our third tour of the program and are having as much fun with the music as when we first recorded the music. During the life of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) the social, economic and political climates of the North Italian city-states in Umbria and Tuscany were undergoing profound shifts. The explosion of trade in Florence and Assisi led to the growth of an entirely new social class and the emergence of a new set of social values. Out of this (new) urban merchant class sprung Francis—pampered in music, art, science, material wealth and all the delights associated with cultural aspiration.
Virtuosic instrumentals, lavish vocals, plaintiff chants and dramatic readings make up this wonderful concert experience. To hear selections from the show, you can listen here: http://www.roseensemble.org/music/il-poverello-medieval-renaissance-music-saint-francis-assisi
The Rose Ensemble touring schedule: