[2025/2026] THE SUN WENT TO CALL THEMOON, AND TOGETHER THEYKNOCKED ON THE SAME DOOR
A COLLABORATION WITH THEB’ROCK ORCHESTRA
Dear Cathy explores the relationship – at timescomplimentary and at others extreme- between the hugely influentialItalian composers of the early 18thand the mid 20th centuries: Antonio Vivaldi, Luciano Berio and Franco Donatoni.
What joins these composers together – in additionto being at the forefront of music development inboth eras – is the willingness to treat the voice asan instrument. Indeed these composers, fromboth the 18th century and the more modern era,were inspired by virtuosity of the singers in theirorbit and pushed both what was expected andwhat was possible in the vocal repertoire.
Where fiery virtuosity of Vivaldi’s cantatas forsoprano and orchestra takes the voice throughmelismatic and dynamic extremes, the virtuosityof 20th century avant-garde composer evolvedout sound based expression and a fascination ofhistorically informed performance practice. Thisprogramme showcases what can be executedwhen the voice is used to its full capacity as aninstrument: whether with soaring vocal lines andheart breaking melodies, or with eccentric noisesand extreme ranges.
