The Passion of Jesus Christ (La Passione di Gesù Cristo)

La Passione di Gesù Cristo (The Passion of Jesus Christ) is a double album in Stereo DSD 64. It was produced and recorded by Giulio Cesare Ricci at Minoritenkirche, Minoritenplatz in Vienna in May 2000. The album is a live recording made in the church where Antonio Salieri was buried. The choice of this location was dictated by its wonderful acoustics which allowed Fone to obtain an exceptional recording of this music.

La Passione di Gesù Cristo (The Passion of Jesus Christ) is an oratorio written by Pietro Metastasio poet, dramatist, librettist considered the reformer of Italian melodrama. The oratorio represents a detachment from the settings of the passion stories present in the Gospel, towards a more theatrical style.

The four central roles are those of S. Pietro, St. Giovanni, Maria Maddalena e Giuseppe d’ Arimatea who answer Pietro’s questions about the crucifixion. The content is spiritual motivated by the solid tradition of oratorial executions that took place in the imperial chapel during the period of Lent and Holy Week.

To enhance the Minoritenkirche acoustics, Giulio Cesare Ricci used the original Neumann U47 and M49 tube microphones, advanced microphone pre-amplifiers from Nagra, the Nagra 4 Analog Tape Recorder with line, microphone and supply cables designed by Signor Ricci. The Original Analog Master was transferred from the Nagra 4s Analog Recorder directly to Stereo DSD 64. With this recording, Giulio Cesare Ricci wanted the listener to live a unique experience: it is as if he were sitting on an armchair positioned in the ideal position of the Minoritenkirche.