The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra reveals Secret Venice

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra is soon to present Venice Secrets – a programme of the works of Antonio Vivaldi, much of it written for the residents of the Ospedale della Pieta, a refuge in Venice for abandoned girls and orphans, where Vivaldi taught the violin in 1703, and where he continued to work until 1740.

That such repertoire was written for female musicians is extraordinary. It was an age when women were neither heard nor seen, let alone permitted to perform; castrati took the roles of women in dramatic works. In keeping with these mores, the women and girls performed these virtuosic works written for them by Vivaldi, behind metal grilles, out of view of their audience.

For the concerts, Paul Dyer, Artistic Director of the ABO has selected an anthology of concerti featuring strings, oboes, bassoon, recorders, horns and harpsichord. Directing this programme from the violin, will be Vivaldi specialist Federico Guglielmo. For his interpretations of Vivaldi, Guglielmo has won the Diapason d’Or and the Antonio Vivaldi International Recording Prize.

Performing with him will be soloists from the orchestra Brendan Joyce, baroque violin, Jamie Hey (Principal) and Anthea Cottee, baroque cello, Kirsten Barry ( Principal, pictured above) and Adam Masters baroque oboe, Melissa Farrow (Principal) and Mikaela Oberg, baroque flute and recorder, Darryl Poulsen (Principal) and Doree Dixon, natural horn, Peter Moore (Principal) baroque bassoon and Brian Nixon (Principal) timpani.

The programme:

Ciaconna from Concerto for Strings in C major, RV 114

Concerto for violin, recorders, oboes & bassoon in G minor, RV 576

Concerto for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, violin, cello & harpsichord in F major, RV 572 Il Proteo

 Concerto for violin, 2 oboes, 2 horns & timpani in D major, RV 562a

Concerto for several instruments in Fmajor, RV 574 (1st) / RV 571 (2nd & 3rd)

Concerto for 2 violins & 2 cellos, RV 564

Concerto for 2 violins, 2 oboes, 2 recorders & bassoon in G minor, RV 577

Tickets: from $56 to $135 from Brandenburg 1300 782 856 or www.brandenburg.com.au