At the helm of Les Arts Florissants, William Christie offers a new interpretation of two masterpieces of Italian sacred music: Scarlatti's Messa di Santa Cecilia and Vivaldi's Magnificat.
It was in 1720, at the age of sixty, that Alessandro Scarlatti composed the Messa di Santa Cecilia in Rome. Considered the crowning achievement of his church music, this piece synthesises the compositional possibilities of the early 18th century in a score brimming with striking contrasts. During the same period, in Venice, Antonio Vivaldi composed his famous Magnificat for the virtuoso musicians of the Ospedale della Pietà, where he was director. Over a period of more than twenty years, he carefully reworked this score to create the gem of sacred music that we know today – and which provides a brilliant Venetian counterpart to Scarlatti's Roman mass for this concert.
Although he has conducted the Magnificat many times, this is the very first time that William Christie has tackled the Messa di Santa Cecilia. For the occasion, he has brought together an international cast of young soloists, alongside the choir and orchestra of Les Arts Florissants, who are well versed in this repertoire. A celebration of Baroque splendour, Italian style!
Although he has conducted the Magnificat many times, this is the very first time that William Christie has tackled the Messa di Santa Cecilia. For the occasion, he has brought together an international cast of young soloists, alongside the choir and orchestra of Les Arts Florissants, who are well versed in this repertoire. A celebration of Baroque splendour, Italian style!
