Il Vespro di San Rocco di Francesco Antonio Berera

This issue considers one of the sacred compositions of the composer Francesco Antonio Berera (b.1737-d.1813) from Trento: Vespro da prodursi in due maniere, con violini violone. Con clarinetti e fagoti corni da caccia, a quattro voci obligate, n. 9 S. Roco Confessore. The composer wrote it in the period as he was choirmaster and conductor in the Cathedral of Trento, between 1791 and 1813, probably in 1795. The paper contains an introduction that analyses the relationships between the “Cappella musicale” and other new musical institutions of the town of Trento which operated in that period: the town Band (1801), and the “Accademia Filarmonica” (1795), with particular focus on their collective productions. A specific study is dedicated to the process of composition, backing and performance of this score. The most important and original part of the issue is the transcription of the manuscript M 6961 in a modern edition which can be performed. The full score has been edited using modern typographic conventions: significant editorial additions to the score are discussed in the final Commentary.