In March 2025, Seraphic Fire brought history back to life with the modern world premiere of Marianna Martines’ O, Virgo, cui salutem as part of the ensemble’s Enlightenment Festival. Presented in four cities across South Florida, this remarkable concert introduced audiences to a long-overlooked composer whose work deserves a permanent place in the choral canon.
A Voice Lost to Time
Marianna Martines (1744–1812) was a leading musical figure in Vienna during the Classical era. She studied harpsichord with Franz Joseph Haydn and performed duets with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Her compositions reflect clarity, elegance, and emotional range, but until recently, most of her work remained hidden from the public.
Seraphic Fire’s Enlightenment Festival, curated by Artistic Director Patrick Dupre Quigley and consulting scholar Rebecca Cypess, was designed to shine a spotlight on these forgotten talents. The program, which featured works by Haydn, Mozart, and Martines, was a celebration of voices too often left out of history books.
A Triumphant Premiere
Audiences in Naples, Coral Gables, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami Beach had the rare opportunity to hear Martines’ O, Virgo, cui salutem performed for the first time in modern history. Soprano Rebecca Myers led the piece with vocal precision and expressive warmth. The period orchestra added radiant support, including a striking oboe obbligato.
In a review by South Florida Classical Review, critics called Martines’ music “a wonderful discovery” and described the evening as “Seraphic Fire’s finest concert of the season.” The review praised Quigley’s leadership and the ensemble’s precision, calling the performance inspired and moving.
An Evening of Rare Beauty
The program also included the American premiere of Martines’ Ah, Berenice, che fai, a powerful scena filled with dramatic tension. Soprano Nola Richardson brought the title role to life with intensity and emotional depth, supported by a fiercely expressive orchestra.
The concert featured additional gems from the Classical period, including Mozart’s Missa Brevis in F Major, performed by a unified choir and standout soloists, and two movements from Haydn’s Symphony No. 63, performed with historic flair.
The evening closed with Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum”, one of his most beloved sacred works. Soprano Elisse Albian’s voice floated effortlessly above the chorus, bringing the audience to a heartfelt and joyful conclusion.
A Dedication and a Legacy
The Coral Gables concert was dedicated to the memory of Mark Trowbridge, a longtime board member and cherished supporter of Seraphic Fire. His impact was felt throughout the evening and throughout the season.
By reviving Martines’ work and pairing it with beloved compositions by Mozart and Haydn, Seraphic Fire once again demonstrated its leadership in historically informed performance and musical storytelling.
To experience concerts like this one, subscribe at seraphicfire.org/subscribe or call 305-285-9060. There is nothing like hearing this music live, and we invite you to join us for more discoveries in the season ahead.
