Vivaldi and Venice

An afternoon in Venice: Sinfonia Viva celebrates the dazzling imagination and vibrant legacy of Antonio Vivaldi.

Three centuries ago they called Venice La Serenissima –  the most serene of cities. But when it came to music, Venice was a powerhouse. Violins danced and glittered like the waters of the lagoon, visiting princes were flattered with music and even church services were like concerts, filled with the very latest in musical fashions. And in the early 18th century, one Venetian composer reigned supreme. Tonight, Sinfonia Viva celebrates the fantasy, wit and dazzling imagination of the man they called “the Red Priest” – better known as Antonio Vivaldi.

But genius loves company, so we’ll also hear from Vivaldi’s colleague (and rival) Corelli, from his 20th century superfan Ottorino Respighi, and from the remarkable Grazyna Bacewicz, a 20th century Polish composer who defied convention to write string music as dynamic and as original as Vivaldi at his boldest. Above all, though, we’ll be playing Vivaldi’s own masterpieces: music that never loses its power to dazzle and delight. Sinfonia Viva’s leader Sophie Rosa takes her place as both director and soloist in a sumptuous violin concerto that reminded contemporaries of Oriental splendour. And Derby Cathedral’s own choir joins us to celebrate the Red Priest in his element, with the sacred drama of Vivaldi’s Credo. This is religious music on a mission to move the heart as well as the soul, and there’s no more suitable setting. Join us, as we fill a February afternoon with sunlight and splendour.