Gaspare Spontini was born on 4th November 1774 in Maiolati. He had three brothers and a sister, all designed for the clergy. He was taught the rudiments of music by the master Quintiliani from Monte San Vito and by other masters of Jesi, among which Don Nicholas Bonanni. He entered the Conservatory of “Pietà dei Turchini” in Naples while in Rome he composed his first important work Li puntigli delle donne (1796).
Some of his works were later represented in Rome, Florence, Naples and Venice.
In 1803 Spontini moved to Paris where he soon became famous.
La finta filosofa , La petite maison and Milton (1804) had great success and the Empress Josephine gave him the title of "Composer of the Chapel of Her Majesty the Empress and Queen "(1805). La Vestale was devoted to the Empress and was strongly appreciated by the Emperor Luigi Bonaparte as well.
Fernando Cortez was represented in 1809 and a year later Spontini became the Director of “Opéra Italien”.
On 3rd August 1811 he married Celeste Erard (1790-1878), his “sweet wife”. She was the daughter of a famous manufacturer of pianos and other musical instruments. They had no children.
His third major work Olympia (December 1819) was later modified and devoted to Frederick William III of Prussia who nominated the musician "First Kapellmeister and General Superintendent of the music of the King." Agnes of Hohenstaufen (1829)was Spontini’s last work which he modified in 1837 and dedicated to his wife Celeste. He came back to Maiolati in September 1850. He was already ill and died on 24th january 1851. He was buried in the church of San Giovanni inside the old people’s home while his wife Celeste was allowed to take his heart with her in Paris.
Important natural area rich in flora and fauna where the stream Fossato flows before ending in Esino, the main river of the valley. Thanks to its position, Montecarotto has a drainage-basin particularly rich in surface waters both in autumn and in spring.
Have a relaxing walk along the park which still preserves the ruins of the old mill that drew power from the waters of the stream.
Explore the luxuriant nature of the area and discover the rare species of flowers like the fern and the dracontea.
Since its origin, Montecarotto has been the border line between Jesi and Senigallia and the junction of the Esino and Misa valleys.
Be entranced by the wonderful landscape! You will admire the entire province of Ancona, the river valleys until the peaks of the Apennines and “la Gola della Rossa”.
It’s easy to come here; by car going through the Arceviese SP and SS 76; Jesi is 18 km far , Ancona 47 km; Senigallia 30 km. Highway A14: exit Senigallia or Ancona Nord. By train: Montecarotto-Castelbellino railway station is 9 km far (line Ancona-Rome).
Many funny assumptions are linked to the name Montecarotto: according to popular belief the original name was Mons Iscariotae, that is the land where Judas Iscariot lived and hanged himself.
In reality, the name Montecarotto derives from the Latin Mons Arcis Ruptae the "Mountain of the destroyed fortress," a fortification situated atop the hill because of its strategic position and then abandoned before the thirteenth century. But nothing of the first phase is preserved, maybe the remains found under the church of La Collegiata di Santa Maria are the answer to this "mystery."
In 1248 the cardinal Rainerio, the Pope's vicar, recognized the rule of Jesi over Montecarotto and over the other castles. However, the power of Jesi became effective only in 1301, when Bishop Leonardo renounced his feudal rights. Montecarotto belonged definitely to the County of Jesi and was one of its prestigious castles.
In fact, during St. Florian festival, Montecarotto was the second castle to lay its bid after Massaccio (Cupra Montana).
The fifteenth century was particularly turbulent to Montecarotto which was ruled together with Jesi by Malatesta family from Rimini for a few years.
After ups and downs in 1431, Jesi took possession of the castle. In the second half of the 15th century, thanks to the acquisition of lands by the local owners, Montecarotto started an important development which lasted two centuries.
In the sixteenth century the castles under the rule of Jesi reacted and asked for greater administrative and financial autonomy. At the end of the century and then in 1636 serious plagues struck the area and caused a drastic decrease in population. However, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Montecarotto showed a remarkable vitality by rebuilding the walls, commissioning works of art for churches, renewing the town charter and increasing cereal growing.
In the eighteenth century there was an increase in population and new struggles against Jesi started. But the attempts at independence had no success.
In fact, the dispute ended in 1752 with Pope Benedict XIV’s “motu proprio” pro Jesi. But in 1808 further to the establishment of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, the castles of the County gained their independence.
Montecarotto boasts the vitality of the small entrepreneurship and the long-lived wine-producing tradition which allow it to preserve its identity.
Come here for a stimulating holiday amid the verdant pleasures of its vineyards and with the wide variety of its wines, you can’t afford not to taste!
Distance: km 15
Time advised: an hour and a half
Difficulty: medium
From Piazza Kennedy (Kennedy Square) follow via Trieste (Trieste Street) for about a kilometre and after the third “stop” turn left towards the Vecchia Fornace (Old brick factory).
Take the gravel road alongside the fishing lake until you reach the tarmac road; then turn left and shortly after turn left again onto the white road that leads you back to town.
Turn right and join the S.S. 76; turn left and then right taking the road that leads to the motorway.
Having crossed the level-crossing and the bridge over the River Esino, proceed along the road for about 3 km; then turn left and climb up to Maiolati Spontini.
When you join the village, turn to the left for Colle Celeste.From here go back to the tree-lined avenue and turn right towards the descent.At the junction turn left and join the long descent called Boccolina.
Once crossed the bridge over the River Esino, turn right towards the Vecchio Rotone.
Then turn left and follow the road on the left crossing a small bridge. Go through the railway subway and join the S.S. 76 again. Turn left and you are easily back to Piazza Kennedy.
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Tel. +39 0731778710
Fax. +39 0731778750
Via Nazario Sauro, 1
60034 Cupramontana (AN)
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