Tune in Radio Monteverdi: listen to extracts from concerts of past editions of the Monteverdi Festival. Let us start with Monteverdi’s Toccata from L’Orfeo: a brilliant fanfare full of energy that will draw your attention and introduce you to the beauty of Music…

Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos are an absolute masterpiece, one the liveliest and most colourful orchestral work of their day, a catalogue of different styles, forms and influences. Listen to Fabio Bonizzoni’s performance of Brandenburg Concerto n. 5, famous for the harpsichord’s ground-breaking cadenza and considered truly the first harpsichord concerto in music history.

In 1613 Monteverdi became maestro di cappella at St. Mark in Venice and held that post for 40 years. Also in his sacred output, Monteverdi reveals his unique and strong personality. Listen to the Salve Regina, dedicated to the Virgin, where the music reinforces the sublime spiritual purity of this prayer.

Everybody falls in love with Berenice, Queen of Judea. Also Polemone falls and invokes her with pain and anger in this beautiful aria from Cesti’s Il Tito. Listen to the dazzling interpretation of British tenor Ian Bostridge, whose magnetic voice charms the audiences across the world.

Orpheus travels to the land of the dead to bring back to life his beloved Eurydice. With his lyre he charms and puts to sleep the ferryman Charon guardian of the River Styx. His music penetrates and moves the underworld. Listen to Emiliano Gonzales Toro in Monteverdi’s beautiful aria O possente spirito.

Monteverdi was maestro di cappella at St. Mark in Venice for 40 years. In his sacred compositions, he reveals all his creativity, guiding the listener every time in a new dimension. Listen to the famous Vesper Hymn Deus tuorum militum, combining simplicity and pure beauty.

An intriguing journey to Naples during the 17th century with Provenzale and Caresana’s operas: these are the years of the impresarios, the roaring divas on stage, the intriguing serious and comic plots. British star Ian Bostridge guides us through love and jelousy, pride and pain expressed in these beautiful arias.

The Messaggera enters the pastoral scene, bringing the news that, while gathering flowers, Eurydice has received a fatal snakebite. She has died evoking the name of her beloved Orpheus. A simple accompanied monody transforms in music everybody’s grief and incredulity. Listen to Ahi, caso acerbo performed by Anna Bessi’s warm voice.

Siroe was one of the bestsellers of the eighteenth century operatic scene, and was staged across Europe many times. Listen to grieving Cosroe, King of Persia and tormented father. Renowned British tenor Ian Bostridge performs Vinci and Fago’s intense arias. 

Cantate et exultate.. Sing and exult, this is the joyous message of Monteverdi’s 1620 motet. Listen to Monteverdi’s sacred pieces intertwined with virtuoso instrumental pieces by Biagio Marini and Nicolò Corradini. 

Defeated by the Romans, Farnace, King of Ponto, orders his wife to kill their son and herself. Cold horror and fear flow in Vivaldi’s beautiful tragic aria, performed by British tenor Ian Bostridge and the Cappella Neapolitana led by Antonio Florio.