Nicola Zitara

Within the vast repertoire of the Baroque oratorio, San Nicola di Bari is unique in two ways. It is the only composition to treat a scene from Saint Nicholas' life, and the only one that emerged from the long and successful collaboration between the librettist Silvio Stampiglia and the composer Giovanni Bononcini. Ramée hopes that this recording of Bononcini's most successful oratorio will awaken some curiosity about the many other masterpieces of a composer who has, unfortunately and undeservedly, dwelled too long in the shadows.

Saint Nicholas is one of the best-known saints, but his reputation today as a friend of children hardly reflects his role in the history of the church. In pieces of music in which he plays a role it is mostly his many miracles which is given attention to. The oratorio which is presented here is different in that it concentrates on the youth of Saint Nicholas who is modelled as an examplary son to his parents. The story is simple: Nicholas prepares for a journey to study in Egypt and Palestine. It is shown how harmonious the relationship with his parents is, and how hard his mother takes it to let him go. Nicholas also has chosen the path of virtue and is determined to resist all worldly temptations. As a kind of opposite number the librettist is introducing Clizio, a fellow student who enjoys worldly pleasures. During the oratorio Nicholas is able to make him see the errors of his ways and Clizio shows repentance…

Johan van Veen (2009)