Ode to Freedom Concert, Padova, 10 December 2024

Concert on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day 2024 "Caring for Human Rights between impunity, effectiveness and legality".

The Concert, promoted by the Concentus Musicus Patavinus and the Human Rights Centre of the University of Padova, includes the performance of a string quartet by Haydn on musical instruments resulting from the lutherie work of the ‘Metamorfosi’ project of the Casa dello Spirito e delle Arti, which we would like to thank sincerely for providing the musical instruments.

Programme

Daniela Mapelli, Magnificent Rector, University of Padova
Marco Mascia, President of the Human Rights Centre ‘Antonio Papisca
Francesca Vianello, Delegate for the "Università in carcere" Project
Paola Dessì, Scientific Director of the Concentus Musicus Patavinus
Arnoldo Mosca Mondadori, Fondazione Casa dello Spirito e delle Arti, Milan

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Quatuor à cordes (l'Oiseau)

Quartet in C major, Op. 33 No. 3, Hob. III: 39

Performed on musical instruments resulting from the lutherie work of the ‘Metamorfosi’ project of the Opera prison in Milan.

Violin I
Maddalena Menegardi (PhD student in History, Criticism and Conservation of Cultural Heritage)

Violin II
Maria Vittoria Chimetto (Master's student in History of Art)

Viola
Irene Zanella (master's student in Bioengineering)

Cello
Gianluigi Bernardi (Master of Arts student in Classical Literature and Ancient History)

Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Choral Fantasy for Piano, Soloists, Choir and Orchestra, Op. 80

performed by the Chamber Choir and Symphony Orchestra of the Concentus Musicus Patavinus

Pianist
Davide Scarabottolo

Soloists
Camilla Scappatura (soprano I) 
Francesca Barone (soprano II) 
Sara Tommasini (alto) 
Ignacio Vazzoler (tenor I) 
Emanuele Zin (tenor II) 
Alessio Bisetto (bass)

Conductor
M. Sergio Lasaponara

Chamber Choir Conductor
M. Ignacio Vazzoler

With flattering sweetness
the harmonies of our life resound
And from poetry blossom evergreen flowers.
Peace and gladness flow 
like flowing waves; 
the rancour and bitterness
that pressed within us
give way to nobler sentiments.
When the magic of sounds dominates 
and the sacred word expresses itself,
then the marvellous manifests itself, 
night and storm become light;
peace all around and inner gladness 
reigns for the happy.
The spring sun of the arts
brings forth light from their union. 
All that is great in our hearts 
blossoms again more beautifully
as soon as the spirit rises
a celestial choir resounds all around. welcome, beautiful souls,
gladly the gifts of art.
When love unites with strength
man is rewarded by the favour of the gods.

The ‘metamorphosis’ project

‘Metamorphosis’ is an initiative of the Fondazione Casa dello Spirito e delle Arti, created to raise awareness of the drama of migration in Europe's largest cemetery, the Mediterranean Sea. The project transforms the wood of migrants' boats, recovered in Lampedusa, into musical instruments and sacred objects, made by people detained in the prisons of Opera, Secondigliano, Monza and Rebibbia. This change becomes a powerful symbol of rebirth: the wood is transformed, the detained people embark on a path of redemption, and art conveys a message of welcome and human dignity.
The highlight of the project is the Orchestra del Mare, which uses these special instruments to spread a message of solidarity and hope. Among the most important works, the ‘Violin of the Sea’ inspired Maestro Nicola Piovani's ‘Song of the Wood’, a composition performed before Pope Francis in 2022.