reviews
"... Pieces by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina were masterfully interpreted by the Schola Romana Ensemble. More than a concert, it was a dive into the Renaissance, rediscovering the Catholic artistic genius. The Missa Brevis, Lamentations, Offertories, and the Song of Songs were some of the pieces performed. We were struck by the attention to technical details with which Maestro Stefano Sabene, director of the Schola, conducted the music, managing to render the varied polyphonic densities of Palestrina's music with disarming ease. This was an enveloping music, despite the limited number of voices involved, a clear result of serious and in-depth work..."
(Paolo Rodari - Agenzia Stampa Fides, Vatican City)
"...The protagonist of the evening was the Schola Romana Ensemble, conducted by Stefano Sabene, who delivered the varied sounds of the compositions with absolute stylistic mastery and a remarkable balance of vocal blend ... This is an ensemble that seems to have reached an artistic maturity comparable to that of the most renowned European groups. One piece in particular left a strong impression on the audience: Gregorio Allegri's Miserere, which this formidable ensemble performed, highlighting its spiritual tension... At the end, the audience gave warm and heartfelt applause."
(Maurizio Milazzo, Il Corriere di Roma)
"Christus" Silent Film with the Sacred Music of Scarlatti.
The Basilica of SS. Bartolomeo e Gaetano provided an evocative setting for "Christus," a gem of Italian silent cinema directed by Giulio Antamoro in 1916. This special screening was uniquely accompanied by a live performance of Alessandro Scarlatti's "Passio," beautifully executed by the Schola Romana Ensemble under the direction of Stefano Sabene."
(Paola Naldi, La repubblica - Bologna)
"The Schola Romana Ensemble specializes in Renaissance and Baroque music but also dedicates itself to contemporary works. They have commissioned a new a cappella composition by Hans-Jürgen Gerung, aiming to juxtapose contemporary pieces with Renaissance ones, a practice still rare in today's performances. According to Stefano Sabene, contemporary music often feels distant from listeners' experiences and is typically appreciated by only a few specialists. Sabene believes it is possible to create works today that satisfy a broader sense of beauty. The Schola Romana Ensemble seeks to contribute to this endeavor with the project "La Notte," centered around the allegorical figure sculpted by Michelangelo for Giuliano de' Medici in Florence. Each section of the project is assigned to a different composer, with the first part composed by Luigi Esposito. The music flows like a broad stream..."
(Allgäuer Anzeigeblatt)
"The Schola Romana Ensemble performed in the Tallone Hall, presenting a program filled with themes and emotions that spanned three centuries of history, all condensed into two hours of wonderful music. The performance featured captivating movements and music, with melodies that almost made you want to tap your foot, perfectly matching the elegant rhythm of a refined courtly dance. The music was particularly enchanting during its intense instrumental sections, earning extra applause from the large audience present in the hall and even from those on the small balcony outside. It was a concert where rhythm perhaps took center stage, driven by percussion, enhanced by wind instruments, and supported, expanded, and enriched by the exquisite playing of an excellent viola da gamba. The ensemble delivered music that evoked a sense of almost Occitan and folk traditions, built on the memory of tunes reminiscent of wandering musicians and rustic celebrations, once again casting a spell on the audience, much like a song whose echo is lost in the void."
(Emanuela Bricco, Corriere di Novara)
"The use of ancient instruments, which reveal unsuspected sounds in this context, combined with the inclusion of unique percussion instruments... represent the greatest assets of interest and originality in this fascinating world of sound, which the musicians of Schola Romana Ensemble have been able to bring back to life with their skill."
(Guerrino Mattei - Il Giornale d'Italia, Rome)
"Schola Romana Ensemble, a concert brimming with sunny Mediterranean vitality"
(Il Tempo, Rome)
"The 'Musica a Villa Patti' Festival could not have had a more brilliant debut... which the performers enhanced with virtuosic and colorful instrumentation. The audience responded with many warm rounds of applause."
(Giuseppe Di Bella - La Sicilia, Caltagirone)