Hélène Brunet soprano
Rodolfo Richter violin and direction
Ensemble Castor (AUSTRIA)
A light-hearted alternative to the familiar Four Seasons, this programme includes concerti and cantatas by Vivaldi related to nature, its sounds and its powerful events: bird song, tempests, rural life and the hunt. One of Italy’s leading exponents of the baroque violin leads some of Austria’s finest early music specialists, with soprano and Juno Award winner Hélène Brunet.
Vivaldi’s best known work, The Four Seasons, has become so ubiquitous in recordings and concert performances, that it has dominated the Baroque music landscape. But Vivaldi’s prolific output went far beyond the famous concerto, to include opera, oratorio, motet, sonata and many other concerti.
Our concert on October 1 demonstrates the incredible range of his genius, including works with musical echoes of The Four Seasons and similar themes of the power and beauty of nature.This all-Vivaldi program will be performed by Austria’s Ensemble Castor, led by the renowned violin virtuoso, Rodolfo Richter, and featuring Canadian soprano, Hélène Brunet.
Brilliant virtuosity, driving rhythms, beautiful melodies – all the trademarks of one of the most beloved composers of the late Baroque.
These players never fail to find something to say … lovely, imaginative performances on some sweet-sounding instruments. – Gramophone
Canadian soprano Hélène Brunet has performed across North America with ensembles and orchestras, notably at the Lincoln Center in New York City with the American Classical Orchestra, with American Bach Soloists in San Francisco, and the Orchestre Métropolitain under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who praised her singing, saying, “Hélène Brunet is the embodiment of class, refinement, and purity.” In addition to a Juno award for her first solo album, Hélène was a prize winner at the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio-Solo Competition at Carnegie Hall. She is currently based in New York.
A never-ending curiosity, combined with a deep passion for music led British/Brazilian violinist Rodolfo Richter to pursue a diverse career as director, soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, concertmaster, teacher and composer. Praised by the international press as “one of the most inspirational baroque violinists of his generation”, chamber music has always been at the core of his activities over the years. In great demand as a guest concertmaster, Rodolfo has led The English Concert, Concerto Köln, Capella Mediterranea, Pygmaleon, Ex Cathedra, La Nuova Musica, Die Kölner Akademie and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He has collaborated with many eminent conductors such as Sir Roger Norrington, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Mark Elder, Gustav Leonhardt, René Jacobs, Christopher Hogwood, Trevor Pinnock, Marris Jansons and Pierre Boulez. He is a former concertmaster of the Academy of Ancient Music (2005-2015) and B’Rock (2009-2018).
Tickets $31; 10% discount for seniors & members; youth and students FREE at the door.
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