Welcome
A Note From Our Music Director
It is with reflection on the incredible achievements of the past season—the recording of our first commercially distributed CD, Acis and Galatea, which is due out in October, and the triumph in Mexico, the U.S., and Europe of our 12 city, 13 concert tour of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion this past March—that I eagerly look forward to returning for concerts in Los Angeles. Therefore, it is my pleasure to introduce the programs for my third season with Musica Angelica, an offering of varied and exciting concerts, which provide a further step in the development of this wonderful group.
Concerto!: By popular request, this program of splendid instrumental concertos features the ever-talented soloists within our orchestra. We are very proud to announce that we will record these concertos for release on our second CD later in the season. Christmas with Musica Angelica: Bach’s Jauchzet Gott and Handel’s Gloria, two incredibly gorgeous works, along with two of the famous Italian “Christmas” concertos, make up the heart of this very festive and seasonal program.
Radamisto: Originally produced for the Salzburg Festival, this popular staged version has had huge success in Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands. I am proud to bring it to Los Angeles, along with some of the wonderful soloists from the first production, including baritone Florian Boesch whom you may remember from his stunning debut last season in our Bach Cantatas program.
Italian Baroque: Guest conductor Antonio Florio is Artistic Director of the famous Centro di Musica Antica Pieta de' Turchini, an organization that promotes the vast musical and dramatic heritage of Naples from the Baroque period. Mr. Florio brings his expertise to this program of Neapolitan works.
Seduction and Despair: Melodramas, pieces for actors with orchestral accompaniment, were highlights of late 18th-century cultural life. Mozart wrote to his father after hearing Benda’s Ariadne, “I only want to write for actors, not for singers anymore.” We are incredibly excited to collaborate with the Academy-Award nominated actor, John Malkovich, as we prepare a new, dramatic text to accompany Benda’s beautiful score.
The intimate side of Musica Angelica—Chamber Music: We continue our tradition of presenting unique and delightful programs in the chamber music setting—now for 14 seasons! Concertmaster Elizabeth Blumenstock, guest musicians and featured members from the orchestra bring to life what we like to call “Baroque Gems.” This season includes works for lute and guitar by Boccherini, Vivaldi, and Haydn; Pergolesi’s opera buffa, La Serva Padrona; and an incredible recital program of Bach’s sonatas for violin and harpsichord. We look forward to sharing another year of exciting Baroque explorations with you!
Martin Haselböck
Music Director