ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

I am delighted to have David Greco join us for this program of beautiful baroque works centering around the theme of night, especially ‘The Silent Night’ (Die Stille Nacht). Our concert title and theme are inspired by Telemann’s exquisite cantata, “Der am Ölberg zagende Jesus” or “Jesus trembling on the Mount of Olives”, sometimes referred to as Die Stille Nacht because of the subtitle Telemann gave its first aria. This movement describes Jesus’ restlessness, doubts and fears in the Garden of Gethsemane as He struggles to come to terms with His fate.

Our program also features David singing a range of arias by Vivaldi including the astonishing and dark aria from Farnace ‘Gelido in ogni vena’. This aria revisits Vivaldi’s music from the slow movement of Winter from the Four Seasons, describing the utter despair of a father who has ordered the death of his own son. David also presents three other breathtaking arias including Vivaldi’s ‘Orribile le scempio’ from La Silvia, ‘Chi alla colpa’ from Armida and ‘Veni, veni me sequere fida’ from Juditha Triumphans. The shadow side of the human mind and psyche has always fascinated composers, musicians and audiences, and, in exploring these deep themes, Telemann and Vivaldi take us into the strongest, strangest and most beautiful expressions of universal emotions.

The night theme of our program would not be complete if we did not include Vivaldi's wonderful La Notte concerto, performed by our incredible flautist, Melissa Farrow along with Hasse’s Flute Concerto in B minor. Her grace and virtuosity are on full display in both these works and I know you will love them as much as I do.

Night is not always ‘full of terrors’, so, to send you homeward with a lighter step, our program finishes with selections from Biber’s uplifting Der Nachtwachterlied (Night Watchman) Serenade which starts with the most playful and delicate pizzicato and the words:

Listen folks and mark the hour, The bell strikes nine within the tower, All’s safe and all’s well, And praise to God the Father and to Our Lady.

Thank you for being with us and I hope you enjoy the concert!

Skye McIntosh Artistic Director Australian Haydn Ensemble