Handel and Vivaldi shared an astounding 56 years of life on earth, yet never met. At the height of their careers, separated by some 950 miles in London and Venice respectively, Handel and Vivaldi’s music reflected everything that surrounded them. Handel, always dignified and highly skilled, was Beethoven’s favorite composer; Vivaldi, daring, flashy, and breathtaking, captivated Bach, who borrowed freely from him. This first CMS pairing of these Baroque masters is a study in contrasts, and a solid evening of terrific musical entertainment.