Music from the orphanages of Venice to the Court of Dresden

There were four busy orphanages for girls in 17th- and 18th-century Venice, the unfortunate outcome of the widespread prostitution and poverty. Whereas boys could find work, girls were economically disadvantaged, and often baby girls would be drowned in the canals. The orphanages accepted infants pushed through a narrow window. The four Ospedali Grandi, of which Vivaldi's Pietà is best known, each had an orchestra and choir of girls and many fine soloists, famously entertaining tourists from behind a screened gallery.

These orchestras provided much economic activity, with many instrument makers and repairers as well as teachers, and many Venetian composers in addition to Vivaldi wrote music for the girls, such as Porpora and Hasse.

Both later worked in Dresden where that fascinating and highly regarded composer Jan Dismas Zelenka was a prominent member of the court orchestra and later official court composer. As the fashion for Italian music swept across Europe, Italian singers were recruited to Dresden. Faustina, the famous wife of Hasse, accompanied him when he was appointed Kapellmeister. Porpora was involved in teaching singers in Dresden – he later went on to teach the young Josef Haydn.

Other composers such as JS Bach and Telemann had strong connections with Dresden, which had become one of the major musical cities.

Programme:
Ferrandini Sinfonia Talestri
Porpora Beatus Vir*
Vivaldi Sinfonia RV169 Al Santo Sepulchre
Vivaldi Credo
Vivaldi Concerto for Dresden Orchestra RV577
Venturini Sonata in A major
Hasse Laudate Pueri
Locatelli / Pisendel Concerto Funebre*
Zelenka Per singulos dies
Telemann Conclusion in e minor from Tafelmusik Part 1
Zelenka Nisi Dominus

*First modern performances

Performers:
Gloriana: Women in Harmony
Linden Baroque
Ashley Solomon director

Linden Baroque is formed of a mix of professional period-instrument performers, students and amateur musicians performing at a high level.