Roman Festivals

The Mobile Symphony Orchestra writes:

Respighi celebrated the past and present beauties of his beloved adopted city in three tone poems or suites: Fountains of Rome (1916), Pines of Rome (1924), and Roman Festivals (1928).</p> <p>He attached a preface to the score of Roman Festivals, setting out the scenes he intended it to evoke.</p> <p>Circenses: A threatening sky hangs over the Circus Maximus, but it is the people’s holiday: Ave Nero! The iron doors are unlocked, the strains of a religious song and the howling of wild beasts floa ...