Traquen’Art’s The Tears
and the Fire of the Muses

Jordi Savall conducts La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Hespèrion XXI

September 19, 2024

Traquen’Art is greatly honoured to invite Quebec audiences to an exceptional musical event: the North American premiere of The Tears and Fire of the Muses – Claudio Monteverdi Revolution, a masterful concert orchestrated by the legendary Jordi Savall. This enchanting opus will be presented in two exclusive performances on Quebec soil, promising an unforgettable sonic experience.

Jordi Savall, a true living treasure of early music, has won the hearts of Quebec music lovers with his unparalleled virtuosity on the viola da gamba, his insatiable thirst for discovery, and his unique ability to weave connections between eras, cultures, and souls through a repertoire as vast as it is fascinating. His stage presence always signifies a musical journey transcending the boundaries of time and space.

The Tears and Fire of the Muses presents a captivating musical odyssey into the heart of Claudio Monteverdi‘s universe and his illustrious contemporaries. Alongside the Italian master, we find works by John Dowland, Anthony Holborne, Samuel Scheid, and Jacomo de Gorzanis, forming a rich and contrasting sonic palette. Under Jordi Savall’s inspired direction, the Hespèrion XXI ensemble and the soloists of La Capella Reial de Catalunya unite their talents to brilliantly revive the treasures of the dawn of the Baroque era.

This concert promises much more than a simple succession of chosen pieces; it is a true dive into the intricacies of musical history, where each note vibrates with the intensity of the deepest human emotions. The evocative title, “The Tears and Fire of the Muses,” suggests a fascinating duality between sweet melancholy and ardent passion, two omnipresent themes in the work of Monteverdi and his peers.

The Tears and Fire of the Muses presents itself as a captivating musical odyssey into the heart of Claudio Monteverdi’s universe and his illustrious contemporaries.

Through a program skillfully blending vocal and instrumental pieces, Savall and his musicians capture the very essence of Monteverdi’s compositions, while making them converse with those of his contemporaries. This approach allows for a rediscovery of the richness and diversity of Baroque music in a new light, highlighting Monteverdi’s revolutionary innovations in terms of sonic texture, dramatic expression, and mastery of counterpoint.

The soloists of La Capella Reial de Catalunya, renowned for their impeccable vocal technique and acute artistic sensitivity, bring unmatched depth to this performance. Each interpretation transforms into an intimate dialogue between the musicians and the audience, where history and emotions intertwine in the universal language of music.

The Tears and Fire of the Muses promises to be a total immersive experience, celebrating Monteverdi’s timeless musical legacy while offering a moment of contemplation and timeless beauty. This concert, guided by Jordi Savall’s artistic vision, promises to be a vibrant tribute to one of the most creative and innovative periods in music history.

‘This concert, guided by Jordi Savall’s artistic vision, promises to be a vibrant tribute to one of the most creative and innovative periods in music history.’

For Jordi Savall, Claudio Monteverdi embodies much more than just a composer of genius; he considers him a revolutionary figure who marked a decisive turning point in music history. Recognized as the founding father of opera and pioneer of the transition between Renaissance and Baroque, Monteverdi represents, in Savall’s eyes, the archetype of the audacious innovator who profoundly transformed the expression of emotions through musical art.

Monteverdi’s genius lies in his ability to merge the refined art of the madrigal with the emerging musical forms of his time, giving birth to works of emotional depth and complexity that continue to inspire contemporary musicians. For Savall, Monteverdi embodies the perfect balance between expressiveness and technical mastery, combining the richness of counterpoint inherited from the Renaissance with the dramatic expression characteristic of the nascent Baroque.

As an exceptional performer and conductor, Savall strives to do justice to this vision by capturing the unique intensity and sensitivity of Monteverdi’s works. Through his numerous acclaimed concerts and recordings, he unveils the timeless modernity of the Italian composer, presenting him as a living and relevant source of inspiration for musicians and music lovers today. For Jordi Savall, Monteverdi symbolizes the crucial passage towards music where the expression of human passions becomes central, a precious heritage that he strives to perpetuate with unwavering dedication.

TICKETS

CONCERT IN QUEBEC CITY
October 6, 2024, at 4 pm
Palais Montcalm – Maison de la musique
995 Place d’Youville
418 641-6040 – 1 866 842-2112

CONCERT IN MONTREAL
October 7, 2024, at  7:30 pm
Maison symphonique – Place des Arts
1600 Saint-Urbain Street
514 842-2112 – 1 877 641-6040

Feature image: Courtesy of Traquen’Art

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