ARTEK has an exciting spring concert planned, featuring Italian vocal chamber music from early baroque Rome. 17th-century Rome was ruled by the great noble dynasties: the Barberini family, the exiled household of Queen Christina of Sweden, the Pamphili family, and many more. Opera was banned by the religious authority. However, private entertainments in the glittering palazzi of the princes and cardinals were an outlet for the most important Italian composers to write virtuosic vocal music in a chamber setting--and for the castrati and other famous singers of the Papal music establishment to show off their prodigious vocal talents for their patrons. Although we won't have any castrati on our program, ARTEK will have our own world-famous singers performing these musical masterpieces.

Our program will include music by the most famous composer of the period, Giacomo Carissimi. Tenor Philip Anderson will sing the dramatic cantata "Apritevi, inferni," and soprano Jessica Tranzillo will perform the familiar and much beloved "Vittoria mio core." Ms. Tranzillo, mezzo-soprano Barbara Hollinshead and bass-baritone Peter Becker will perform Carissimi's exciting trio cantata, "I Naviganti." The illustrious Alessandro Stradella is represented by two outstanding masterpieces: Drew Minter, countertenor will sing "Crocifissione e morte di N.S. Giesù Christo," and Mr. Becker will sing "Crudo mar di fiamme orribili." Ms. Hollinshead will be featured in Luigi Rossi's famous lament "Un ferito cavaliere," written for Queen Christina in memory of the death of her father, Gustav Adolphus. Fascinating cantatas by two rarely-heard Roman composers will also be presented: tenor Michael Brown will sing the poignant "Volete altro moriro" by Mario Savioni, and Mr. Anderson and Mr. Brown will sing the lovely duet "Oh Dio, voi chi mi dite" by Marco Marazzoli. Both these pieces are likely being performed for the first time in nearly four centuries. Instrumental music by Rossi, Alessandro Melante, Lelio Colisto, and Stefano Landi will round out the program. The program will close with the beautiful lament and final chorus "Plorate, filii Israel" from Carissimi's Jephte.

Tickets for the performances are $40 for regular seating and $20 for rear seating ($30 and $10 for students and seniors). Order now from GEMS, our box office service, by calling them at (212) 866-0468, or order online at the link below.