The organ concert in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta on St Stephen's Day in Montanaro has become a tradition: the event, which brings to life the 2,500 pipes and 15 musical cherubs of the 19th-century organ, has been held since 1996.
'Colours of Christmas in Montanaro: a look beyond the Alps' is the title of this year's concert on the monumental 19th-century organ. This year, maestro Rodolfo Bellatti will play, taking inspiration from the 49th CD in the organ series Antichi Organi del Canavese, entitled Colori di Natale a Montanaro: uno sguardo oltralpe (Christmas Colours in Montanaro: a look beyond the Alps). The programme will feature Christmas-inspired pieces by Italian and French composers, including Bernardo Pasquini (1637-1710), Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) and Paolo Gambarotta (19th century).
The organ of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the largest in Italy and among the most interesting in Europe, partly because of its cherubs, large sculpted angels holding trumpets connected to the instrument. With 2,500 pipes, 15 sounding angels, and the signatures of three builders, Giovanni and Giacinto Bruna (1810), Giacomo Vegezzi Bossi (1872) and Giuseppe Lingua (1896), it is one of the most impressive instruments in use.
Rodolfo Bellatti, born in Genoa in 1973, graduated in organ and harpsichord from the Paganini Conservatory in Genoa. He has published articles on organ building and made many recordings dedicated to promoting historical organs.
Piazza della Chiesa, Montanaro