CANTARE AMANTIS EST (‘Singing is for those who love’, St Augustine)

This year, Ravenna is the Roads of Friendship destination for the choirs that on June 1 and 2 will join Riccardo Muti in the name of Verdi

Cantare amantis est, curated by Anna Leonardi and Michele Marco Rossi, weaves itself into the fabric of the Roads of Friendship, a Ravenna Festival’s project led by Riccardo Muti across the world for more than a quarter of a century, from Sarajevo to New York, from Jerusalem to Kyiv, building ‘bridges’ of brotherhood and calling peoples wounded by wars, catastrophes, and centuries of misunderstanding to hope and peace, rediscovering ancient forgotten roots, and connecting different faiths and cultures.

In this case, the destination of the journey is Ravenna itself, even better, it is the voice, soul, heart of all those that will reach this city to join in. The meaning is summed up in the words of St Augustine: cantare amantis est, to sing is for those who love. This is the secret of singing, especially choral singing: love, passion, and the yearning for peace. As Riccardo Muti says: ‘singing and making music together is the most vivid example of a society that tends towards the common good through harmony and beauty’.

This journey takes the form of a masterclass open to all (amateur and professional choirs, expert singers and beginners, of any age and vocal range), free of charge. Many have been answering the call – over 800 people have already signed up from all over Italy to take part in the study sessions and rehearsals on June 1 and 2. Choral singing becomes an experience of true community, which in turn becomes a performance, for all the study and rehearsal sessions are also open to the public: a most valuable opportunity, also from the stalls, to discover the work behind the musical performance and delve into the intentions the composer poured into the score.

Maestro Muti himself explains: ‘In this dramatic moment, in which the world is a powder keg, in which people continue to die under bombs, the peoples of Europe are wondering whether to invest in weapons while earthquakes claim thousands of victims and cause destruction, and children are deprived of life and a future; in this moment, I wanted to launch a Call, an appeal addressed to all and everyone, without distinction of origin, age, sex, profession, religion’.

This is therefore a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share one’s passion for music and singing by tackling some of Giuseppe Verdi’s most famous pages- ‘Va’ pensiero’ from Nabucco, ‘Patria oppressa!’ from Macbeth and ‘Jerusalem!… Jerusalem!’ from I Lombardi alla prima crociata – under the guidance of the Maestro who is the great composer’s interpreter par excellence.

To embark, again in the words of Riccardo Muti, ‘on a true Journey into choral singing as a union of peoples and feelings, because singing is an expression of our soul and of the differences that dwell within each of us. This is why wish to meet as many people as possible in Ravenna to sing together, becoming one big Choir for a new Roads of Friendship journey made through the music of Verdi. Thus merging the voices in a message of union, solidarity, and peace-building’.