Vivaldi, Opera arias for castrato voices & concertos for flute
Tim Mead | François Lazarevitch
Presentation
Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien, guided by the virtuoso flutist François Lazarevitch, are back in full orchestral form, still animated by the same communicative energy, for a new journey into Antonio Vivaldi’s baroque Venice.
For this concert, François Lazarevitch and his musicians are accompanied by the admirable English counter-tenor Tim Mead, and are offering you some of the most famous opera arias for castrato by the great Italian master of the 18th century, alternating with concertos (including the famous concerto for flautino – small flute). These are all “hits” of which the man then known as the Red Priest had the secret. They are always theatrical, ranging from the most poignant sorrow to the most violent rage. Tim Mead’s singular art allows him to interpret Vivaldi’s melodic creation to perfection…
It is precisely the strength of expression of these feelings and the extraordinary energy of baroque music that nourish and enchant our sensibilities after a difficult period. So let us follow our Norman ensemble on its atypical journey, at the crossroads of popular and scholarly music, with a mixture of origins, styles and repertoires.
Translation: Christopher Bayton
Approx. 1h30
15 musicians
Tim Mead, counter tenor
François Lazarevitch, recorder
6 violins, 2 altos, 2 cellos, 1 double bass, 1 archlute, 1 harpsichord
Co-Production
Le Volcan – Scène nationale of Le Havre
Programme
Ouverture (Olimpiade) RV 725
Cara sposa (Orlando Furioso) RV 728
Vedro con moi diletto (Il Giustino) RV 717
Concerto pour flûte à bec en do mineur RV 441
Allegro non molto – Largo – [Allegro]
Gelido in ogni vena (Farnace) RV 711
Qual serpe tortuosa (La Fida Ninfa) RV 714
Concerto pour cordes en sol mineur RV 157
Allegro – Largo – Allegro
Sol da te, mio dolce amore (Orlando Furioso) RV 728
Concerto pour flautino en do majeur RV 443
[Allegro] – Largo – Allegro molto
Sento in seno ch’in pioggia di lagrime (Il Giustino) RV 717
Gèmo in un punto e fremo (Olimpiade) RV 725
« Naturalness in joy, pleasure with a constantly solar and sedate song. François Lazarevitch leads his Gardellino resolutely, treating himself and us to a luxuriant flute that rises up freely in the midst of his musicians. Vivaldi as we love him. »
LA TRIBUNE DES CRITIQUES DE DISQUES,
FRANCE MUSIQUE, DIMANCHE 13 DÉCEMBRE
« The alternation of instrumental and vocal works is superbly arranged to give a perfect rhythm to the program. The flutist combines fine musicological knowledge with an intuitive practice of early music, all magnified by the ductile voice of Tim Mead. »
Forumopéra.com
novembre 2022
« Antonio Vivaldi fever still works as well: it would be wrong to consider that Vivaldi constantly composed the same concerto and that, even when he puts the voice in the spotlight, it is in fact for an instrument like the violin that ‘he would have finally composed. Diversity is the key word, we will have had further proof of this during this concert. »
concertonet.com
novembre 2022
« François Lazarevitch does not lack breath in the virtuoso strokes of the flute concertos. The audience, holding theirs back, let their joy burst forth at the end of the first movement of the Concerto for Flautino, triggering a smile from the flautist greatly concentrated to face the technical challenges of these pieces. »
forumopéra.com
novembre 2022
« Another opportunity to hear Lazarevitch as a soloist is provided by the Flute Concerto in C major RV443, a page of great virtuosity and captivating dance rhythm, in which the roles of soloist and orchestra alternate with success. (…) Surprisingly, the solo recital turns into a concert with two characters: the countertenor and the flautist. »
premiereloge-opera.com
novembre 2022
