Possessing a formidable technique and a fearless, yet lyrical style, Minasi works all over the world as conductor, soloist, academic, teacher and leader of his own ensemble, Il Pomo d’Oro.
Minasi plays everything from Bach to Bel Canto. But when offered the chance to put together a program with personal meaning, he chose nine recently discovered gems from the city of Naples.
Naples in the baroque period was an important centre of music and culture, and this is reflected in the depth and diversity of this program. The names of these composers may be unfamiliar, but their work remains vital and influential. Francesco de Majo composed over 20 operas and a large number of sacred works. Like Minasi, Angelo Ragazzi was a violinist as well as a prolific composer of instrumental music. And Niccolò Jomelli wrote over 60 operas and oratorios, including La Betulia liberata, from which this splendid sinfonia is drawn.
Paul Dyer and the Orchestra take as much pleasure in reinvigorating the classics of the baroque repertoire as they do in presenting unknown works, and over the years audiences have come to relish following them on this exciting journey into the unknown.
BRISBANE SERIES PARTNERS
Francesco de Majo Sinfonia in D major
Angelo Ragazzi Violin Concerto in g minor
Domenico Sarro Sinfonia from Demofoonte
Angelo Ragazzi Sonata Op.1 No. 4 in f minor
Leonardo Leo Concerto for 4 violins in D major
Nicola Fiorenza Violin Concerto in C major
Niccolò Jommelli Sinfonia from La Betulia liberata
SOLOISTS
Riccardo Minasi (Italy) baroque violin
Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
Guest Director and Conductor Riccardo Minasi
Venue Details
Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre
31 Sturt StreetSouthbank VIC 3006
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Corner Grey and Melbourne StreetSouth Brisbane QLD 4101