Concert "Francesco Cavalli and the Dawn of Venetian Opera"

Rodrigo Calveyra, artistic director, cornett, recorder (Brazil / France)

Renata Dubinskaitė, mezzo-soprano

Adrià Gràcia Gàlvez, harpsichord, positive organ (Spain)

Rodney Prada, viola da gamba (Costa Rica / Italy) 

 

 

 

Francesco Cavalli was the undisputed leading opera composer of the 17th century. Although his name is still not widely known among today’s audiences, in his own time he was the most celebrated composer in Europe, thanks above all to his operas. More than forty-two works are attributed to him, of which twenty-six have survived in full. His prestige was so great that, in 1660, King Louis XIV of France invited him to introduce Italian opera to the French court. Cavalli spent two years in France overseeing productions and performances, and composed, as a tribute to the king on the occasion of his marriage to Maria Theresa of Austria, the monumental opera L’Ercole Amante.

 

While Cavalli served as chapel master of the magnificent Basilica of San Marco — one of the most important musical institutions in Europe — his reputation rested primarily on his operas. These works reveal a striking dramatic instinct, exceptional melodic invention, and a grotesque humor that became a hallmark of Italian opera until the death of Alessandro Scarlatti. Cavalli’s oeuvre offers the only complete example of the continuous development of a single composer within a single genre — from the early to the late 17th century in Venice. Few operas by his contemporaries (such as Monteverdi or Antonio Cesti) have survived in comparison. For scholars, this trajectory is especially fascinating: opera was still a young art form when Cavalli began, yet by the end of his career it had matured into a fully established and popular public spectacle.

 

This program presents excerpts from eleven different operas by Cavalli, revealing his mastery in all its facets: sumptuous melodies, refined contrapuntal writing, dramatic contrasts, and an unparalleled understanding of the human voice. And to complete this celebratory program, we included instrumental music by Dario Castello, who was the leader of the instrumental ensemble at the very Basilica of San Marco.

 

 

The concert will take place in the Great Renaissance Hall of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Latecomers will not be admitted.

Without intermission.

 

Families are welcome to attend the concert with children of school age and older. Our youngest visitors, together with their families, are invited to take part in the educational activities at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.

 

The event will be photographed.

 

Entrance is free of charge, but due to the limited number of seats, we kindly ask you to register in advance.