Il Cammino di Antonio (The Path of Anthony) retraces the still unsung physical and spiritual journey of the man who became the "Saint Preacher" known as St. Anthony of Padua, who is still venerated today by millions of devotees all over the world.

Il Cammino di Antonio is a Sacred Oratorio for tenor, narrator, choir and orchestra, with music by Maestro PandolfoPaolo and a libretto by Prof. Giovanni Ponchio. An opera that sheds light on St. Anthony's spiritual role but also on his social engagement, in a choral invocation full of strength and hope.

In 1221, Anthony of Lisbon, born Fernando Martins de Bulhões, was shipwrecked in the bay of Capo Milazzo in Sicily. From there he started a long journey along the ancient routes that crossed Italy; a journey that proved to be spiritual as well, as it was deepened and enriched by the message of St Francis. Anthony first reached northern Italy, then France and finally Padua, the city where he died and where his relics and testimony live on in the Basilica dedicated to him.

The behind the scenes of “Il Cammino di Antonio”. Anecdotes and revelations through the story of Maestro Sergio Lasaponara and the Concentus Musicus Patavinus orchestra during the study and preparation of the musical work of the composer PandolfoPaolo..

In 1221, Anthony of Lisbon, born Fernando Martins de Bulhões, was shipwrecked in the bay of Capo Milazzo in Sicily. From there he started a long journey along the ancient routes that crossed Italy; a journey that proved to be spiritual as well, as it was deepened and enriched by the message of St Francis. Anthony first reached northern Italy, then France and finally Padua, the city where he died and where his relics and testimony live on in the Basilica dedicated to him.

PandolfoPaolo (composer)

He graduated in Composition from the Pollini Conservatory in Padua under the guidance of Wolfango Dalla Vecchia. He has earned awards in numerous national and international composition competitions essentially in sacred music. We mention the “Te Deum” for solos, choir and organ, which was the winner of the “Anima Mundi” competition for the 950th anniversary of the Cathedral of Pisa, a competition chaired by Sir John Eliot. Gardiner (2014). Success again in 2017 (with the Ave Maris Stella), the only case in the history of the event founded by the late master Giuseppe Sinopoli.
The collaboration with the librettist Giovanni Ponchio has led to important awards including: the first absolute prize in the national competition organized by the Diocese of Livorno with the sacred oratory on the life of Santa Giulia (La croce di Giulia) for choir and orchestra only (2017); the absolute first prize in 2019 and 2022 with works on the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri in the composition

Giovanni Ponchio (librettist)

Graduated in 1976 in philosophy from the University of Padua, he taught literature, history and philosophy in the city's high schools for 43 years. Since 2021 he has been dean of the Barbarigo Institute. He presides over the Consortium of Associated Padua Libraries and is registered in the register of journalists and publicists of Veneto. He is also the director responsible for certain periodical publications. He has to his credit some publications of a philosophical nature. On the relationship between Dante Alighieri and the Paduan culture of 1300 he published Il volo di Gerione, and in the magazine Il Santo an essay on the lack of presence of Antonio di Padua in the Dantesque paradise. After doing long research on the Paduan Catholic movement, he published Passion According to Joseph. The tragic story of Don Giuseppe Paccagnella told in the archival documents. He has been collaborating for years with the master Paolo Pandolfo, writing the texts of some works, including Il quarto re, La croce di Giulia, La sinfonia dei giganti.

The Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua

The Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua is a Catholic church and minor basilica in Padua, Veneto, Northern Italy, dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua.

Construction of the Basilica probably began around 1232, just one year after the death of St. Anthony. In it are kept his relics and his tomb.

The basilica is visited as a place of pilgrimage by people from all over the world and it is known locally as "il Santo". It is one of the national shrines recognized by the Holy See.

From 2021 it is included by UNESCO among the World Heritage Sites in the site of the 14th century fresco cycles in Padua.