“Vivaldi. Music of the Red Priest” will feature an exciting program of music by one of the baroque’s most celebrated and virtuosic composers, Antonio Vivaldi.

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born on March 4, 1678, in Venice, Italy. His father, Giovanni Battista Vivaldi, was a professional violinist who taught his young son to play as well. Through his father, Vivaldi met and learned from some of the finest musicians and composers in Venice at the time. While his violin practice flourished, a chronic shortness of breath barred him from mastering wind instruments. Vivaldi sought religious training as well as musical instruction. At the age of 15, he began studying to become a priest. He was ordained in 1703. Due to his red hair, Vivaldi was known locally as “il Prete Rosso,” or “the Red Priest.” Vivaldi’s career in the clergy was short-lived. Health problems prevented him from delivering mass and drove him to abandon the priesthood shortly after his ordination.

Featuring the acclaimed RMP choir and baroque orchestra with magnificent soloists, these two performances will be directed by Andrew Wailes, well known to Melbourne audiences for his dynamic interpretations of baroque works and will feature some of Australia’s leading early musicians. A magnificent cast of soloists will be headlined by the distinguished Australian soprano Sara Macliver, and 2017 Herald Sun Aria winner, counter tenor Max Riebl.

Music to be presented will include rare performances of Vivaldi’s extraordinarily beautiful Beatus Vir (Psalm 111) RV 597 , for 5 solo voices, double chorus, 2 oboes, 2 organs, double strings & continuo , as well as the spectacular Dixit Dominus in D Major RV 594 for soloists, double choir and double orchestra. Other works will include the motet Nulla in mundo pax sincera RV 630, Vestro Principi divino  for alto, strings and basso continuo in F major (RV 633) as well as the Concerto for 2 Trumpets in C major, RV 537 and the  sparkling  Concerto for Strings in G major, RV 151 (the ‘Concerto alla rustica‘).

2 performances, but seats are strictly limited so book early!

2pm Afternoon Matinée performance

7pm Evening performance

Andrew Wailes, conductor

Sara Macliver, soprano

Sarah Ampil, soprano

Max Riebl, alto

Timothy Reynolds, tenor

Craig Everingham, bass

Adam Miller, bass

Mark Fitzpatrick, trumpet

Louisa Trewartha, trumpet

Samantha Cohen, theorbo

Peter de Jager, organ

Calvin Bowman, organ

other soloists TBA

Download a copy of the concert poster HERE