Ottorino Respighi - Maria Egiziaca (Manlio Benzi)

Information

Composer: Ottorino Respighi

• Maria Egiziaca, P. 170

Francesca Dotto

Simone Alberghini

Vincenzo Costanzo

Coro e Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice di Venezia

Manlio Benzi, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Naxos

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Ottorino Respighi’s Maria Egiziaca, described by the composer as a “mystery in three episodes,” recounts the life of Saint Mary of Egypt in a deeply expressive and sensuous portrayal of Christian faith. Tracing Maria’s path from prostitution to sanctity through sin, conversion, and atonement, the work was originally conceived as a concert triptych and occupies a space between oratorio and opera. Marked by intense dramatic power and at times symphonic breadth, Maria Egiziaca is enriched by echoes of ancient Italian musical traditions, with two evocative orchestral interludes separating its three episodes.

Manlio Benzi, born in Rimini, studied composition and conducting at the Arrigo Boito Conservatory and further specialized at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. Prizewinner at the “L. V. Matacic” International Competition (1995), he has held posts including Permanent Conductor of the Serbian National Theatre and Associate Conductor of the Orchestra Sinfonica “G. Verdi” of Milan. He has appeared at major houses such as the Bayerische Staatsoper, Paris Opera, Semperoper Dresden, and Teatro alla Scala. Alongside an active international career, he has taught orchestral conducting at the Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro since 1999 and is also active as a composer and musicologist.