17:30
Mafra
La Serenissima (Concert)
National Museum of Music Auditorium, 29/11, 5:30 PM
Diana Vinagre, cello and director
Rita Filipe, contralto
Margit Übellacker, psaltery
Josep Maria Marti Duran, theorbo
Marta Vicente, baroque double bass
Haru Kitamika, harpsichord
Today little known to the general public, the psaltery was for centuries present in various European musical traditions, reaching its peak during the 18th century, particularly in Italy, Germany and Austria. It also played a significant role in Portuguese musical life until the end of the 18th century.
La Serenissima proposes a rediscovery of this instrument through the music of Venice, one of the great cultural centres of Baroque Europe, where opera flourished with Monteverdi and Cavalli and instrumental music developed through Vivaldi, supported by churches, theatres and the famed ospedali.
The programme includes works by Vivaldi, Caldara and Marcello, highlighting the psaltery both as a solo instrument and within the basso continuo. Through chamber cantatas, sacred music and instrumental repertoire, the concert revives a forgotten musical heritage and reintroduces contemporary audiences to the unique sound of this once-familiar instrument.
Lecture-visit at 4:30 PM, concert at 5:30 PM (separate tickets required).
