Barrocade Ensemble
צילום: פנינה אבן טל
The Songs of Solomon (Rossi)
Salomone Rossi (c.1570-1630), a Jewish composer and violinist, was born in Mantua and lived there all his life. In the early 17th century there were some 23,000 Jews living in Mantua. In 1630 there were nine synagogues in Mantua, mostly belonging to the 'Italiani' Jews who followed the Roman rite
As part of their current concert season the Barrocade Ensemble presented a program of Rossi songs titled 'The Songs of Solomon' which focused mainly on the Jewish music of Mantua and Venice at the period ending the Renaissance – and beginning the Baroque period. Joining members of the ensemble in this festive concert was a vocal quintet comprising two countertenors, two tenors and one bass.
Rossi's strong connections with the ruling Gonzaga family in Mantua stood him in good stead, where he enjoyed privileges not granted to most Jews. He received payment from the ducal court, but was also employed by the local Jewish theatrical group.
In 1622, Rossi published his album of 33 songs titled 'Shirim Asher l'Shlomo'. Twenty of these songs were drawn from the Psalms, all in Hebrew. However, none of the texts are from the 'Song of Songs'. The word 'Shlomo' in this instance refers to Rossi himself.
Rossi was the first Jew to compose, perform and publish polyphonic settings of synagogue liturgy for mixed choir. He also made significant contributions to instrumental music; his four books of instrumental works include 116 pieces.
A treat lay in store for the audience at the concerts by the Barrocade Ensemble with an arrangement for ensemble and voices by Amit Tiefenbrunn in the Barrocade 'folk Baroque' style of the Aramaic Passover song 'One Kid Goat'.
The soloist, countertenor Doron Schleifer, took the audience all the way with him in a brilliant, foot-tapping rhythmical and humorous performance of the cumulative story.
