You must know by now that I’m leading a 9-day trip to Italy this coming May. (I think it’s going to be a great time, if I say so myself). We had a lot of fun putting everything together, and it’s going to feature things like seeing Donizetti’s “La Favorite” at La Fenice in Venice, a private recital in Verdi’s home town of Busetto, an exclusive tour of the Museum of Ancient Instruments in Bologna, art, architecture, food, wine, etc., etc., etc.
Another exciting event is a performance by one of Italy’s top-notch Early Music ensembles, “Interpreti Veneziani”, who play concerts in the de-consecrated church of San Vidal, near the Accademia bridge in Venice. I can’t say enough about the ensemble. The group, originally founded in 1987, immediately gained fame for the exuberance and ‘all-Italian brio’ characterizing their performances.
This season, the ensemble strives to bring “harmony, new and old, back to the splendid venues which have remained (in Venice); to revive the sound of some of the prestigious instruments – true works of art – in settings charged with history and beauty.” They also work to show how “baroque music and Vivaldi’s notes come back together in sacred spaces, such as San Vidal, where they were once born.”
Sound exciting? It sure is! I’ve heard them live in San Vidal, and nothing beats hearing Vivaldi’s music in the lovely acoustic of San Vidal’s Baroque interior. The group is playing Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” on that particular concert, along with some other works of the period. Before you groan, “Oh no!, Not ANOTHER “Four Seasons!”, let me assure you you’ve not heard Vivaldi’s music played with such fire, such tenderness, such verve!
And this is just ONE experience awaiting you, and a fairly small group of fellow travelers, this coming May. If you’ve been thinking about coming along, I urge you to get your reservation in TODAY. Don’t wait! I can’t wait to be sitting in the nave of San Vidal, listening to the opening notes of Vivaldi’s music…with YOU!
P. S. To whet your musical appetite a bit, here’s a video of cellist Davide Amadio and Interpreti Veneziani, playing a Cello Concerto in d-minor by Antonio Vivaldi. Enjoy!