Sagra Musicale Lucchese presents a concert of Franciscan pieces dedicated to St Francis on the 800th anniversary of his death, composed by Marco Bargagna.

S. Nicola di Pisa Polyphonic Choir: Vocals

Tuscan Chamber Orchestra: instruments and Stefano Barignone

The composition of the Cantico di Frate Sole was commissioned by the Coro San Nicola di Pisa in 2013. The verses of the canticle recount the final years of the life of the Saint of Assisi. The centenary of St Francis’s death prompted Marco Bargagna to revisit the old project. Thus, in the summer of 2025, he wrote what is intended to be the central part of a Triptych, namely the account of the ‘stigmata’, entitled Nel crudo ...

The main recurring musical theme is that of the Gregorian chant Crucis Christi mons Alvernae (itself based on Crux fidelis), which the friars of La Verna sing every day during the procession. The text is also inspired by this chant. From the opening lines of St Bonaventure’s Legenda major, Bargagna has taken the text for a third panel, which will be the first in the order of execution The opening words also give the text its title: Apparuit gratia Dei. It is Francis’s epiphany, his revelation to the world. MORE INFO