From Living Rooms to Stages
The Journey of Italian Madrigal
Monteverdi–Strozzi–Rossi–Marenzio–Casulana–Caccini
Helsinki Chamber Choir
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
“You never die nor languish, but brief is the glory of your fire.”
In madrigal art, poetry and polyphonic singing were combined, and the performance of music and poetry was an essential part of every noble family's dinner entertainment. As a musical genre, the madrigal began to develop in the early 16th century, and by the end of the century, composers could be counted in the hundreds and songs in the thousands.
The colorful and captivating madrigals of 17th-century composers such as Claudio Monteverdi and Barbara Strozzi explored the highs and lows of love—its humor, joy, passion, and pain—through expressive works for singers and instrumentalists. In these dramatic compositions, just a small step away from opera, the madrigal had come a long way from its origins as music performed in the home.
Monteverdi’s (1567–1643) Lamento della Ninfa (The Nymph’s Lament) is one of his most beloved compositions, as is the evocative Or che’l ciel e la terra. The Venetian Strozzi (1619–1677), in turn, was one of the most renowned female composers of her time, publishing an extensive body of works in the newer, more concertante style. In addition to Monteverdi and Strozzi, the concert will feature compositions by Salamone Rossi, Luca Marenzio, Maddalena Casulana, and Francesca Caccini.
The concert tour is part of the Lähelle project of the Helsinki Chamber Choir and the Finnish Baroque Orchestra.
The concert in Ekenäs is organized in collaboration with the Swedish Parish of Ekenäs region (Ekenäsnejdens svenska församling) and the concert in Nurmes in collaboration with the Nurmes Summer Music.
Duration: 1 h 45 min (incl. intermission)
Tickets 25 € (standard) / 15 € (seniors, students, unemployed, conscripts, ages 10–18) / free for children under 10: helsinginkamarikuoro.fi and at the door one hour before the concert, unless sold out
Nurmes: Holders of the Summer Music concert pass and Summer Academy students can attend the concert for free.
Ticket inquiries: lippu(at)fibo.fi