The Vail Series presents Les Arts Florissants with violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte

Baroque superstars Les Arts Florissants are joined by fast-rising violinist, Théotime Langlois de Swarte, in Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” at 300 commemorating the work’s original publication in 1725. The program frames these iconic masterpieces afresh, setting them alongside music Vivaldi would have known in Venice and compositions which were in turn inspired by his bold vision. 

When published in 1725 nobody could imagine Vivaldi’s Opus 8, Nos. 1-4 (“The Four Seasons”) would become perhaps the most frequently heard music of all time. Yet today, 300 years on, they remain as popular as ever. 

This program frames these iconic works in a new light. Their overtly narrative style (Vivaldi included sonnets – perhaps written himself - alongside the music) invites questions about the fleeting, cyclical nature of our existence, our relationship with nature, and the eternal renewal of earth’s cycles, now being modified by climate change. 

The opening Monteverdi brings us to Venice prior to Vivaldi’s birth. The “Madrigalesco” concerto shows Vivaldi paying homage to the master, echoing Monteverdi’s bold harmonic approach, and thus providing a bridge between this earlier style and 18th century virtuosity. 

Uccellini’s “Bergamasca” plunges us into the improvisational practices of the Venetians, with a bass line familiar from today’s pop music. 

Geminiani’s popular transcription of Corelli’s sonatas for chamber orchestra unites two geniuses of the baroque era. Corelli, whose groundbreaking Op. 5 (concluding with “Follia” and published in 1700) – was an inspirational figure to the young Vivaldi. Geminani traveled widely and helped establish Italian repertoire throughout Europe. This “Follia,” published in 1729, was almost certainly influenced by the appearance of Vivaldi’s Op. 8 just four years prior. 

For more information visit arts-florissants.org.

DENISON COMMUNITY TICKETS 

Tickets are free for Denison students, faculty, and staff. 

PUBLIC TICKETS 

We share these experiences with our larger community by making a limited number of tickets available for public sale on a first come, first served basis at $20 each. A limited number of Vail Season Passes are also available for all four concerts for $68 through October 23. 

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The Vail Series was endowed in 1979 by a generous gift from the late Mary and Foster McGaw in honor of Jeanne Vail, class of 1946. Just as it was intended to do, the Series enriches the artistic experience of the entire Denison community. Programmed creatively with the mindful pursuit of learning across traditional academic boundaries, more than 100 individual Vail Series artists have found their way to Denison’s classrooms and stages, but that doesn’t include the dozens of ensembles or full symphony orchestras that have played here over the years.