Flame and Inspiration – neighbourhood concert

Flame and Inspiration – Love in the Operas of Claudio Monteverdi

Ensemble Elegos here presents music that first sounded 400 years ago – during the first years of opera. The pioneers of opera looked for new ways to express human emotions musically and much in their musical language was revolutionary. 400 years later we are still very familiar with these same emotions and the music sounds at once centuries old and modern. In the programme Flame and Inspiration we focus on different manifestations of love – whether it be exalted, sweet or pernicious. We place a special emphasis on the three surviving operas of Claudio Monteverdi, presenting a scene from each. The programme also contains works by Giulio and Francesca Caccini, who were important figures in the Florentine opera scene. Florence is also the hometown of tenor Enrico Busia, who is here joined by Icelandic soprano María Konráðsdóttir. They are accompanied by Sólveig Thoroddsen on baroque harp and Sergio Coto on theorbo – a bass lute that was the most popular accompanying instrument of the era, as it echoes the nuances of the human voice particularly well.

Admission is free and open to everyone to increase accessibility to the festival, but voluntary contributions are welcomed for those who wish to support the project.