After Laus Polyphoniae AMUZ lets the champagne bottles pop for the opening of its autumn season, on the rhythm of some masterpieces from the Italian high baroque. Instrumental and vocal works of Vivaldi and the Scarlattis will be reinvigorated through the expert offices of Ensemble 415 and the acclaimed counter tenor Carlos Mena. The pillars of this programme are two religious compositions dedicated to the Virgin Mary, on the one hand in her role as queen, on the other as mourning mother close to the dead Jesus. Domenico Scarlatti’s Salve Regina originated in the middle of the 18th century and is a moving synthesis of compositional mastery. Vivaldi, too, seems to have postponed the composition of his Stabat Mater to the moment when he was perfectly confident about his craftsmanship. The result is a subdued but intense story with a personal touch, due to a special choice of text and an unusual musical structure.

Performers
Carlos Mena, countertenor | Elisa Citterio, violin | Patricia Gagnon, viola | Gaetano Nasillo, violoncello | Pedro Vares, double bass  | Evangelina Mascardi, theorbo | Michele Barchi, harpsichord | Chiara Banchini, violin & artistic direction

Programme
Alessandro Scarlatti: Concerto nr. 1 in f | Domenico Scarlatti: Salve Regina in A | Antonio
Vivaldi: Concerto in d, RV 129 - Sonata a quattro ‘Al Santo Sepolcro’ in Eb, RV 130 - Introduzione al Miserere, RV 638 - Stabat Mater, RV 621