Pierino e il lupo (Peter and the Wolf) is a children's story consisting of music and text. It was written in 1936, after Prokofiev's return to the former Soviet Union, when the Central Children's Theatre in Moscow commissioned him to write a new musical work for children that would bring even the youngest children closer to music. The composer accepted, intrigued by the particular assignment, and completed the work in just four days. The premiere took place on 2 May 1936, but the outcome was inauspicious: small audiences and little attention. The initial poor fortune was, however, more than compensated for by the enormous success that followed, so much so that it became a classic enjoyed by adults and children alike.
The version performed by the Orchestra Sinfonica Rossini is cut to an 11-piece ensemble, consisting of string quintet, wind quintet and percussion. The performance relies on the multifaceted talent of Maestro Noris Borgogelli, who, after adapting the composition, will be both the conductor of the ensemble and the narrator. Prokof'ev's performance will be preceded by a presentation of the instruments, which will allow an even more informed listening of the work.
