Misteria Paschalia 2009
Once again Easter in Kraków is drawing near. As usual, the world’s leading purveyors of historical music performances have accepted invitations to play at the Misteria Paschalia. The most distinguished Italian ensembles will perform in Kraków – Concerto Italiano, Il Giardino Armonico, the Venice Baroque Orchestra, I Senatori de la Gioiosa Marca and Cappella della Pietà de’ Turchini. Also, the French Le Poème Harmonique ensemble will present themselves, as well as an international line-up of musicians from Les Trompettes de Jericho, La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Hespèrion XXI, along with their guests from Israel, Armenia, Greece, Iraq and Morocco, all under the baton of Jordi Savall.
In recent years the Misteria Paschalia Festival has been the scene of some of the best vocal performances in the world, and it will be no different this time when Kraków plays host to such celebrities as Sara Mingardo, Sonia Prina, Roberta Invernizzi, Maria Grazia Schiavo, Claire Lefiliâtre and Montserrat Figueras.
The programme will revolve around interpretations of the sequences of the Stabat Mater. Alongside those universally recognised – composed by Pergolesi and Vivaldi – there will also be some compositions by Bononcini and Salvatore, much less known to wider audiences. These will be supplemented by works that are rarely performed on the concert stage.
Monday
The festival will start in grand style. Missa Romana by Roman Pergolesi will leave no one indifferent; especially as performed by Rinaldo Alessandrini. Many remember the phenomenal interpretation of this mass recorded for the ‘Opus 111 Music Studio’ – now the ‘White Raven Studio’.
Tuesday
Jerusalem is a new project by Jordi Savall. So far it has been presented to audiences in Paris, Barcelona and Jerusalem only. For the project, a Catalan artist asked musicians of different faiths, religions and performance styles to work together. The effect is breathtaking, presenting Jerusalem as a city that is divine, celestial, human and earthly... A Polish element is also present – the poignant lyrics of a song written by an Auschwitz prisoner.
Wednesday
We’ve done it! After years of hard work, we’ve finally succeeded in tempting the Leçons de Ténèbres Couperina. Added value here comes from the fact that Vincent Dumestre, together with the spectacular voices of Claire Lefiliâtre and Camille Paul, are preparing it specifically for us.
Thursday
Josè Maria Lo Monaco – a revelation from the previous edition of the Misteria Paschalia, and Maria Grazia Schiavo – a regular performer at the festival. This time, accompanied by the Giancarla Rada ensemble, they will perform the Salve Regina by Pergolesi and Porpola. We are in for an arousing performance, since this duo offers more than just beautiful voices ...
Friday
Everyone knows Sara Mingardo – a voice that enraptures and astounds. The artist accepted her invitation here along with the Kraków debut of the Andrea Marcon ensemble. Their offering corresponds with the compositions performed by Philippe Jaroussky during the Misteria Paschalia in 2005. Then, the best contratenor – now, the best contralto.
Saturday
Antonio Florio and his ensemble decided to bring to Kraków music which he explores and studies; one which fascinates and absorbs him and to which he is utterly devoted: the Naples of the 17th century and a completely new look at the Italian Baroque. Whoever has reached for recordings of Provenzale or Salvatore knows that this evening will be engraved in the memory for a long time.
Sunday
Who’s heard of Fago? Then again, who heard of Fabio Biondi before he brought his oratorio to Kraków? No one. And so we face a great unknown. A freshly reconstructed score. The first concert tour. Biondi’s choices are sure-fire hits; no doubt they will be spot on again.
Monday
The series of the ‘Red Priest’s’ motets draws to an end, but there’s still timevfor another one – the finest arias from his oratorios and operas along with a handful of concerts. We start with the absolute premiere – the sparring between Sonia Prina and Giovanni Antonini’s ensemble. A joyful finale for a joyful day.
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