The Battle of Lepanto

The Battle of Lepanto was commissioned by Sagamihara High School Wind Orchestra for its 30th anniversary concert and premiered on May 2, 2010 with Shuhei Shimizu conducting. The actual Battle of Lepanto occurred in the Eastern Mediterranean in 1571, when a massive fleet of the Holy League, a coalition of Catholic maritime states, decisively defeated the main fleet of the Ottoman Empire. This triumph effectively halted the expansion of the Ottomans and ended Turkish supremacy in the Mediterranean. This epic battle secured Italy from invasion and altered the balance of trade to the present day. This work can be performed by smaller ensembles to effectively present the dramatic themes of European galleys laden with sailors and warriors, their families praying for their safe return, and the ominous approach of the Ottoman navy. (Hayato Hirose)