Ephemera
Civitas Hymn of Smyrna
The patron saint of Smyrna is St Polycarpe who was martyred on nearby Mount Pagus during Roman times. The Civitas Hymn is dedicated to St Polycarpe and is still performed in the Catholic churches of the city, particularly on his feast day of 23 February - video:
P. Jean Baptiste in his book on the Catholic history of Smyrna stated that this hymn was written in 1911 by a Lazarist missionary who was working in Izmir 50 years previously:
« Cette hymne a été compose il y a 50 ans environ par un père Lazariste missionnaire à Smyrne… »
Therefore, for the “Civitas Princeps” hymn, which would have been written in the 1860s, P. Jean Baptiste adds “this was composed by Maestro Rebecchini, who played the organ of the Polycarpe church”.
« …et a été mise en musique par le digne maestro Rebecchini alors organiste de l’église de St. polycarp ».
Serafino Rebecchini was a respected organist and well-known teacher, and was born in Ancona, Italy in 1812. He married in Izmir and had many children. Many of his children are also interested in music...
Sig Serafino Rebecchini and his Son Raniero, at only 12 years of age, have generously tendered their eminent talent... Fantasia for Violin and Piano Forte, from Verdi’s Opera Ernani ... by, Signor S Rebecchini and his Son Raniero Rebecchini...
The cover of an English translation printed collection of Serafino Rebecchini works.
Raniero, the son of Serafino Rebecchini
