Alessandro Scarlatti’s work presenting the biblical story of Cain, was described on the title page of the first edition of the libretto as trattenimento sacro – “sacred entertainment”. At the beginning of the 18th century, when this genre had developed for a hundred years, the musical style of oratorios had become practically indistinguishable from opera. The composition created by Scarlatti during a short stay in Venice most likely had its premiere in 1707 not in a church, but in a completely secular palace. During the festival concert, Wrocław Baroque Orchestra, which will perform the piece Cain, overo Il primo omicidio with soloists, will be conducted by René Jacobs.

Scarlatti’s chosen theme of the murder of Abel by his brother, committed out of jealousy (as John Milton writes “Heaven hath no rage like love to hatred turned”), was popular among Italian composers of the period. The two-movement piece by the Sicilian-born artist was not the first to be devoted to the dramatic story from Book of Genesis. However, it is distinguished by an abundance of virtuosity and emotions. Scarlatti does not introduce the parts of either the narrator (testo) or the chorus – in result, presenting the events falls on the dialogues and arias. 

Thanks to the genius of the Italian composer,  this happens without detriment to the story presented. At the same time, the oratorio does not lose its moral overtones. In the characters of Adam, Eve and the titular Cain, we will find a range of human attitudes suggestively depicted by Scarlatti and Pietro Ottoboni – the author of the libretto – as virtues and vices. It is worth noting that the revival of interest in Cain, overo Il primo omicidio is due to René Jacobs, under whose direction the musicians will perform the work in the Wrocław church of St  Stanislaus, St Dorothy and St Wenceslas. Jacobs’ interpretation, and he has performed early music for half a century now, featured on a disc released in 1998 by Harmonia Mundi. He also performed the vocal part of God’s voice at that time. The album won many major awards; it was nominated for a Grammy, and a Grammy was awarded to this superb musician in 2005.