The Laudato Si’ Center of Assisi, partnering with the ASSISI Terra Laudato Si’ project, has produced a concept album entitled “8cento” [800]―a journey through various musical styles, to interpret the Canticle of the Creatures with new eyes and ears.
The group behind this project, “Artists for Creation” wanted to pay tribute, through the art of music, to the first known song in the Italian language―whose author is known. It’s not just a beautiful poem or an inspired prayer, but also the work of a singer-songwriter. This year, the composition turns 800 years old.
St. Francis ends his Canticle with an oxymoron: “Cum grande humilitate.” Only he could juxtapose two words so distant: greatness and humility. In this album, a group of unknown, humble artists have undertaken an ambitious project. Performing at the Villaggio per la Terra event, on the Terrazza del Pincio in Rome [a hilltop overlook], the artists recently got a first taste of the public’s reaction.
The work interprets the Canticle, drawing inspiration from each verse, through rock, ballads, jazz, bossa nova, instrumentals, pop, dance, rap, and singer-songwriter tracks. They use various languages and styles, to sing of the Creator who designed a creation rich in biodiversity. Biodiversity equals beauty.
On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the first three tracks were released as an album representing the soul of 8cento. The first track is: “Tucte,” a rap song by OobyMajor. It explores the richness of the expression “cum tucte le tue creature” (with all your creatures). “Sorella morte,” by Marco MAMMOLI, uses dance music to help us, like Francis, look upon death with joy, as a means of praise. “Salsabīl,” by Matteo SANTINI, tells the story of Sister Water using an instrumental piece. The title is Arabic, evoking the spring that flows from Heaven and the dialogue between Francis and the sultan, from which we must learn, even today, to build peace, a key message of Pope Leo XIV.
The release of this album also marks the celebration of the first anniversary of the ASSISI Terra Laudato Si’ project, launched on April 22, 2024. It is already bearing much fruit in Assisi. Special thanks to the artists: Father Mimmo IERVOLINO, Luca LENCIONI, Marco MAMMOLI, Matteo MANICARDI, MoMa feat, Anna SILIMBANI, Diego RAITERI, Agostino SAMMARCO, Matteo SANTINI, Luca TERRANA, and OobyMajor. The best way to say thank you for this album is to listen to it.
The album is available on streaming platforms, and on the AssisiLaudatoSi.org website.
Enjoy listening!
Press Room
Sacred Convent of St. Francis
