The musical chapel of the Basilica of St. Francis

In its long history its fame and value have been increased by a large quantity of sacred music, kept in the library of the Sacred Monastery, composed by renowned names such as Friar Ruffino Bartolucci d'Assisi, the inventor of the so-called choir "battente" or "spezzato", Father Bohuslav Czernohorsky, Father Girolamo Deruta, the famous author of the "Transilvano", that is of the first and most outstanding theoretical work ever composed about the art of the musical keyboard (1593), Father Giulio Belli, Father Francesco Zuccari, Father Clemente Mattei, Father Alessandro Borroni, Father Domenico Stella.

Today its activity is going on by getting together around itself young musicians and various instrumental groups, clearly aiming at the liturgical animation, but also at rediscovering those musical pages that have given splendour to this prestigious Basilica of Assisi.

Among the many engagements and concerts held all over Italy one is particularly worth mentioning: the invitation to offer its service in Saint Peter's in Rome at the presence of the Holy Father on the occasion of the Jubilee of the artists (February 18th, 2000).

Director of the Musical Chapel Father Giuseppe Magrino

A Conventual Friar Minor he has studied the organ with Master W. Dalla Vecchia and the piano with Master Luigia Rossi Molinari; he achieves the Mastership in Gregorian chant and sacred music at the Pontificio Istituto Ambrosiano di Musica Sacra in Milan, where he has studied with L. Migliavacca, L. Molfino, A. Turco, V. Donella, and G. Bredolo; he has attended specialization courses with the masters G. Acciai, Antonio Pericola, and W. Marzilli.
He is the author of sacred music for liurgy, for chorus and for orchestra among which the oratory "Antonio di Padova", the cantatas "La samaritana al pozzo", "L'annunciazione del Signore", "Il Natale del Signore", of two concerts: one for organ and one for bassoon and orchestra, of the symphonic poem "Fides et ratio".
At present he is the director of the Musical Chapel of the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi.

Organist Master Eugenio Becchetti

He's got a diploma in Piano, Harpsichord, Organ and organic Composition at the Conservatoire "F. Morlacchi" in Perugina under the guide of Emma Maria Marino, Teresa Garatti and Wjinand van de Pol. He carries on an intense concert activity both as a soloist and in various chamber music groups playing for important Italian and foreign concert societies.
He has played as organ and harpsichord solo at various festivals in Italy and abroad.
At present he teaches at the Conservatoire in Perugina, he plays the harpsichord with the string orchestra "Symphonia Perugina", he is the organist of the Church of San Fiorenzo in Perugina and of the Musical Chapel of the Patriarchal Basilica of St Francis in Assisi.
He has recorded for Dinamic, Edipan, Dongiovanni, Opus 111, Quadrivium, Tactus, and Nuova Era.

Programme 2002
Liturgical celebrations
Concerts

Liturgical Celebrations

The Feast of St Francis - October 4th
The feast of St Cecily _ November 22nd
The Solemnity of the Virgin - December 8th
Holy Christmas - December 25th

Concerts

Oct., 5th, Basilica Superiore, at 9 p.m., Concert for Maria
Oct.,18th, Basilica Superiore, at 9 p.m., REQUIEM K 626 of W.A. Mozart
Oct., 26th, Basilica Superiore, at 9 p.m., San Vincenzo de Paoli Association
Dec., 8th, Sala dei Notari, Perugia,at 9 p.m., Christmas Concert

Recordings

1. Cantico delle Creature and Franciscan music
2. Laudate et benedicete, mi Signore. Eighteenth-century Franciscan Masters

Under preparation

3. A te o Francesco. Songs for liturgical celebrations
4. Father Giuseppe Paolucci. Friar and musician.

E-mail: c.musicale@sanfrancescoassisi.org