This program will explore the structure of operatic arias as antecedent to the Italian instrumental forms.  Works for voice and harp by Claudio Monteverdi and sonatas by Dario Castello for violin and harp will explore opposites.  We most deeply appreciate the standard sonata form’s storytelling structure by comparison to its structural opposite, the wildly unstructured stylus fantasticus.

Garth Newel Music Center

Juan Diego Flórez is a superstar tenor adored by fans and critics worldwide. With “phrasing and breath control [that] are things to wonder at” (The Guardian), his voice has been likened to “the engine in a Porsche 911; when you hear it, you know you’re in the presence of something finely tuned and luxurious” (Opera News). Flórez’s most recent Carnegie Hall recital “had the audience exploding in joy” (The New Criterion), and it’s safe to say this concert will, too, with selections by Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, Puccini, and more.

EPSG:4326

Juan Diego Flórez, Tenor Vincenzo Scalera, Piano

Carnegie Hall

**Fallen Angels: A Baroque Exploration of the Paranormal**

Join Ars Lyrica Houston for an enchanting evening of Baroque music that delves into the mystical and paranormal, titled "Fallen Angels." This captivating concert took place on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 7:30 PM in the exquisite Zilkha Hall at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

"Fallen Angels" showcased an otherworldly program that spanned the harrowing "Judgement of Solomon" by Giacomo Carissimi to the spirited masques from Henry Purcell’s "Fairy Queen." The performance featured a stellar lineup of five extraordinary singers accompanied by a colorful Baroque orchestra, complete with period strings and winds, setting the stage for a season devoted to the magical aspects of music.

The concert highlighted the talents of Nola Richardson and Eliza Masewicz, sopranos; Jay Carter, countertenor; Thomas O’Neill, tenor; and Enrico Lagasca, bass-baritone, marking an Ars Lyrica debut for some. The program included a rich selection of works, such as Carissimi's "Judicium Salomonis," Alessandro Scarlatti's "Cello Sonata in C minor," and excerpts from Purcell's "The Fairy Queen," among others. The performance ran for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including an intermission, with all texts projected in English surtitles for the audience's understanding.

Audience members were treated to a night of sublime artistry, with the celestial voices of the singers and the elegant performance of the orchestra creating an entrancing experience. The concert was not only a showcase of musical excellence but also an exploration of themes like love, mystery, and the supernatural, as reflected in the Baroque era's rich tapestry of sounds and stories.

For those who missed the live performance, digital replay passes are available, offering a chance to experience the magic of "Fallen Angels" from the comfort of home. This concert set the tone for Ars Lyrica Houston's 2023/24 season, promising more mesmerizing performances that explore the awe and wonder of Baroque music.

Giacomo Carissimi

Events

Past events

Aug 11, 2024

Garth Newel Music Center · Garth Newel Music Center

Nov 29, 2023

Juan Diego Flórez, Tenor Vincenzo Scalera, Piano · Carnegie Hall

About

Giacomo Carissimi hasn't added a bio