A woman playing the cello? Scandalous! At least, that's what people thought in the mid-19th century, when Lise Cristiani launched her extraordinary career. Sol Gabetta sets out to trace the musical path of her courageous predecessor. It goes without saying that Mendelssohn's famous Song Without Words couldn't be missing from this program – after all, it's dedicated to Lise Cristiani and is the only work of this "genre" written for cello. And cellists like Sol Gabetta have another achievement to thank this innovative pioneer for: She was one of the first to perform with an instrument that could be fixed to the floor using the now-common spike, allowing the soloist greater freedom of movement and allowing her to wear wider skirts. Clear the stage for women on the cello!

Gabetta Chapel

Dec 10, 2025

Sol Gabetta / Gabetta Chapel

Gabetta Chapel