La Geniale

Thursday October 18, 2007, 8:00 pm

Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours

400, rue Saint-Paul Est [métro Champ-de-Mars], Vieux-Montréal, Québec
Venue’s web site at marguerite-bourgeoys.com

The Sinfonie di concerto grosso for flute(s), oboe, strings, and basso continuo by Alessandro Scarlatti, and concertos by Vivaldi, Albinoni and Torelli.

After the success of their concert of Alessandro Scarlatti’s sonatas for flute and strings, Les Boréades now take on all of this composer’s Sinfonie di concerto grosso. In these works, which are among the very few instrumental works written by this master of vocal music, the flute and other winds engage in dialogue with the string ensemble. In this curiously named collection, which Scarlatti completed in 1715 but never published, his rigorously strict style coexists with a completely Neapolitan sensuality. The austerity of the 12th Sinfonia, entitled La Geniale, contrasts sharply with the charm that the other pieces in this collection radiate, but this piece is marked throughout by diversity and a very personal sense of instrumental color. Concertos by Antonio Vivaldi and Francesco Mancini complete the program.