Vivaldi's Venice

Concert Hall, QPAC

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra is bringing internationally-celebrated French harpist, Xavier de Maistre, back to star as soloist in the one-night-only performance of Vivaldi’s Venice at QPAC on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

Hailed by The Australian for his “virtuosic brilliance and elegant lyricism” and The Sydney Morning Herald for his “elegance, clarity and panache” in his 2018 debut with the Brandenburg, Xavier has once again curated another must-see concert with an all-new, evocative program of works inspired by the Venetian Baroque.

Venice’s main trade by the 18th century was culture. Tourists were drawn from across Europe to see the city’s art treasures, majestic churches and grand palazzos, and to hear the magnificent displays of sound and pageantry at public festivals. Venetian composers were at the cutting edge of the new Italian style which was impassioned and lyrical. Antonio Vivaldi was the greatest of these composers and revolutionised the concerto which changed the direction of instrumental music for generations to come.

A highlight in the Vivaldi’s Venice program is undeniably one of the most beloved concertos in the world - Winter from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. But, instead of the usual performance on violins, Xavier has masterfully adapted it for harp and orchestra. This is a truly unique experience that is only enhanced by Xavier’s distinctly vibrant musical voice.