Orlando’s legacy through the ages
The opera ‘Orlando finto pazzo’, premiered at the Teatro Sant’Angelo in 1714, seeks to reinterpret Ariosto’s epic, which had captivated the public a year earlier with a work of the same name, adapted by Ristori and with lyrics by Grazio Braccioli. The composer of this adaptation, the renowned Antonio Vivaldi, collaborated again with the librettist himself, but his premiere did not meet the expected reception.
Vivaldi returns to Ariosto with a new vision
After a decade of reflection, Vivaldi decided to revisit Ariosto’s narrative, presenting ‘Orlando furioso’ with the poem’s original title. Despite his status as a central figure in Baroque music, this work remained in the shadows until 1978, when a recording was made that began to arouse interest in his music, which has not performed frequently: between 2005 and 2010, it was performed only nine times according to Operabase data.
Vespres d’Arnadí: a musical journey through Europe
The Vespres d’Arnadí group will offer a program dedicated to the influence of Italian music during the 17th and 18th centuries, highlighting Vivaldi’s role as a pillar of the Baroque tradition. In their repertoire, they include two arias from ‘Orlando furioso’, as well as the opening of ‘Ottone in villa’, the emblematic aria ‘Gelido in ogni vena’ from ‘Il Farnace’, and the ‘Concerto for oboe, violin and organ in C major’.
Domènec Terradellas: the forgotten composer
In addition to celebrating Vivaldi, the concert will emphasize Domènec Terradellas, a Barcelona composer who lived a large part of his life in Italy and is considered one of the most outstanding of the Spanish-Italian opera of the 18th century. The program will begin with three works by this author, taken from his operas ‘Artaserse’ and ‘Imeneo in Atene’.
Closure of the Festival of Ancient Music of the Pyrenees
The concert, entitled ‘Nel profondo cieco mondo’, will mark the end of the Ancient Music Festival of the Pyrenees (FeMAP) with two scheduled presentations: the first on August 24 at 8 pm in the church of Santa Maria d’Àneu ( Escalarre) and the second on August 25 at 6 pm in the Monastery of Sant Pere (Camprodon).
An outstanding cast for a unique experience
The performance will be performed by Vespres d’Arnadí, an ensemble made up of talented musicians such as the oboist Pere Saragossa and the mezzo-soprano Marta Infante, known for her vocal strength. In addition, before each concert, guided tours will be offered included with the ticket, exploring the rich history of the spaces that will host the performances.
Tickets and guided tours
Attendees can purchase advance tickets for the August 24th concert via this link and for the August 25th concert here. Guided tours will complement the experience, offering an immersion in the history and architecture of the places.
