EXCELSIOR

"Ballo Excelsior" is a choreographic action in six parts and eleven scenes by Luigi Manzotti (Milan, 1835 – 1905), with music composed by the Piedmontese composer Romualdo Marenco (Novi Ligure, 1841 – Milan, 1907). The ballet represents the titanic struggle between Progress and Regression, culminating in the final victory of Civilization over Reactionary forces. All concepts are personified allegorically. The lead ballerina embodies Civilization, followed by Light, Electric Energy, and other characters, including Obscurantism. Beginning with the era of the Spanish Inquisition, the author traces the history of humanity up to the construction of the Mont Cenis tunnel, highlighting events such as the abolition of slavery, recalling historical figures (Volta, Papin, etc.), and celebrating great human achievements and inventions (the steamship, the battery, the telegraph, the lightbulb, the Suez Canal), leading to the final apotheosis under the sign of brotherhood among nations.
From this Grand Ballet, Andrea Moncalvo selected its most famous piece, the Galop, which appears in the second scene of the first act and features Light and Civilization as protagonists. The arrangement, suitable even for small wind bands lacking particularly in the horn and trombone sections, was made based on the manuscript preserved at the Library of Novi Ligure (Alessandria), the birthplace of Marenco.