Utrecht, Rouen, Basel, Columbus

“Bach’s finest” (Utrecht)

At Utrecht’s TivoliVredenburg concert hall, conductor and harpsichordist Richard Egarr led the Nederlandse Bachvereniging in a performance of “Bach’s finest”, the Hohe Messe (Mass in B Minor), often regarded as the composer’s musical testament. The program offered a deeper understanding of this masterpiece by presenting three cantatas whose melodies Bach later repurposed in the Mass. The Patrem omnipotentem originates from the cantata Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm. The jubilant cantata Preise dein Glücke, gesegnetes Sachsen provided the basis for the Hosanna, while Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen gave rise to the moving Agnus Dei.

With the Nederlandse Bachvereniging and Richard Egarr.

Lucile Richardot named opera singer of the year in France (Rouen)

At the Opéra de Rouen, during the annual Victoires de la Musique Classique awards ceremony, mezzo-soprano Lucile Richardot was honored with the prestigious title of Opera Singer of the Year, following in the footsteps of Benjamin Bernheim. Initially known for her work in Baroque music, she has since ventured into a diverse range of repertoires. “I perform opera, musical theater, concerts, strange recordings, even bike tours… What defines me is the spirit of ensemble work, approaching the world of music differently, as part of a community of music lovers and artisans, rather than as stars” she remarked.

With Lucile Richardot, the Orchestre de l’Opéra Normandie Rouen and Victor Jacob.

Exploring Torelli (Basel)

In early March, the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis hosted a study day dedicated to Giuseppe Torelli (1659–1709) and his instrumental soundscape. The event gathered leading musicologists from universities in Katowice (Poland), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Pavia and Siena (Italy), Lausanne (Switzerland), and Oregon (USA). The symposium concluded with a concert, The Musical Art of Giuseppe Torelli, at Predigerkirche, conducted by Enrico Gatti in collaboration with professors Amandine Beyer, Leila Schayegh, and Jean-François Madeuf.

With Schola Cantorum Basilensis‘ students and Enrico Gatti.

Céline Scheen and Ricercar Consort on tour in the U.S.

Last week, the Ricercar Consort, under the direction of Philippe Pierlot, and soprano Céline Scheen embarked on a U.S. tour titled The Virgin’s Teares, featuring works by Vivaldi, Monteverdi, Purcell, and Handel. The program paid tribute to the Virgin Mary, central to Counter-Reformation devotion and glorified by Baroque music in all its fervor and poignancy. Beginning in La Jolla, California, at the invitation of the Early Music Society of San Diego, the tour concluded at Mees Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio, following a stop at Philadelphia’s Episcopal Cathedral (Penn Live Arts).

With Céline Scheen, the Ricercar Consort and Philippe Pierlot.