Vienna 1700: the great Italian composers at the court brought in the famous Italian extravert virtuosity, but they were also seduced by the melancholic, sweet sound of the chalumeau – a woodwind instrument which was very en vogue in Vienna at that time. Because of it’s singing quality, the chalumeau often appeared as an obbligato instrument in numerous operas and cantatas.  Being a family of soprano, alto, tenor and bass, chalumeaux sound best when they’re not alone; there is a treasure of repertoire for two chalumeaux and voice that is almost not performed nowadays. Thanks to the mastery of the italian composers active at the court, we will recreate the sumptuous atmospheres of the royal stages and carry you in a musical journey to hear rarely performed baroque pieces, a portrait of melancholy and sheer virtuosism.

Music by: Camilla de Rossi, Francesco Bartolomeo Conti, Antonio Caldara, Giovanni Bononcini, Antonio Bertali, Marc’Antonio Ziani, Attilio Ariosti, Antonio Vivaldi

Cristina Grifone– Soprano
Giulia Zannin – Chalumeau
Joost Hekel – Chalumeau
Tiziano Teodori – Traverso
Lena Rademann – Violin
Anna Lachegyi – Viola da Gamba
Eva Euwe – Violone
Henriette Wirth – Harpsichord