February 6 to 9, 2020
“An alchemist of sound”
—Diario de Sevilla
Toronto, January 15, 2019… Dreaming Jupiter, February 6 to 9, 2020, marks the first Tafelmusik concert guest-directed by a viola da gamba soloist. The renowned, multi-talented Italian composer and gambist Vittorio Ghielmi makes his Tafelmusik debut in this program showcasing the enigmatic sound of the viola da gamba, or viol, a cousin of the cello. Ghielmi has curated a selection of French solo and orchestral music, together with the world premiere of his own composition, Jupiter. Dreaming Jupiter takes place at Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre.
With its delicate construction, six strings, fretted fingerboards, and unusual underhand bow hold, the viola da gamba produces an intimate and expressive sound and is also capable of great virtuosity in the hands of a master like Ghielmi.
Dreaming Jupiter was conceived as a musical dialogue between music for solo viola da gamba and the rich and varied colours of the French orchestra. Vividly descriptive orchestral works from operas by Rameau, Rebel, Lully, and Marais are contrasted with solo pieces that demonstrate the viola da gamba’s extraordinary range.
Ghielmi’s title for this program is a nod to two French baroque composers and viola da gamba virtuosos, Marin Marais and Antoine Forqueray, who respectively wrote La Rêveuse (Dreamer) and Jupiter. The final piece on this program is created by Vittorio Ghielmi himself, with Forqueray’s “Jupiter” as a starting point.
Tafelmusik is thrilled to share the work of contemporary artists to complement both the 2019/20 season theme, “old meets new,” and the theme of each individual concert. Dina Torrans, whose sculpture Heirloom IV(Adore) is the image for Dreaming Jupiter, has also created a sculpture called Transiting, which will be displayed on stage during the Dreaming Jupiter concerts. Hand carved from Persian Travertine stone, the sculpture bears a resemblance to the planet Jupiter.
Performance Sponsor for Dreaming Jupiter is Cognizant. Vittorio Ghielmi’s appearance is supported by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura.
On Friday, February 7 at 11:00 AM, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura (IIC) presents Vittorio Ghielmi in conversation with IIC Director Alessandro Ruggera. Admission is free, and the talk takes place at the IIC, 496 Huron Street.
Listing information:
Tafelmusik presents Dreaming Jupiter
Vittorio Ghielmi, guest director & viola da gamba
Dates & Times: Thu Feb 6, Fri Feb 7, Sat Feb 8 at 8pm and Sun Feb 9 at 3:30pm
Ticket prices: Regular: starting from $42; Discounts for seniors (65+), 35 and under, and youth (18 and under)
Venue: Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor Street W.
Box office: (416) 964-6337
Website: tafelmusik.org
Social Media: Join the conversation on Facebook| Twitter| Instagram| YouTube
ABOUT VITTORIO GHIELMI
The Italian viola da gamba player, conductor, and composer Vittorio Ghielmi has attracted attention for his tremendous virtuosity, and for his new approach to the sound of baroque repertoire. He has performed as a duo with lutentist Luca Pianca since 1999. In 2007, together with Argentinian singer Graciela Gibelli, he founded IL SUONAR PARLANTE ORCHESTRA, devoted to a new investigation of the early music repertoire as well as the creation of new projects and collaborations with, among others, great jazz artists such as Kenny Wheeler, Uri Caine, Paolo Fresu, and Markus Stockhausen. IL SUONAR PARLANTE ORCHESTRA is regularly invited to perform at leading halls and festivals throughout Europe, and has produced numerous award-winning recordings.
Vittorio Ghielmi is Head of the Institute for Early Music at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and is a Visiting Professor at the Royal College in London. As director or soloist he has appeared with leading baroque and modern orchestras, including L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, Berlin Philharmonic, and Vienna Philharmonic. He has worked as Assistant to Riccardo Muti at the Salzburger Festspiele, and in 2018 conducted Rameau’s Pygmalion at the Drottningholms Slottsteater in Stockholm. His experiences with traditional musicians are captured in the film The Heart of Sound: A Musical Journey with Vittorio Ghielmi.
ABOUT TAFELMUSIK
Led by Music Director Elisa Citterio, Tafelmusik is one of the world’s leading period-instrument ensembles, performing on instruments and in styles appropriate for the era of the music. Renowned for dynamic, engaging, and soulful performances, Tafelmusik performs some 80 concerts each year for audiences across Toronto, and is Canada’s most toured orchestra, having performed in more than 350 cities in 32 countries. The orchestra is often joined by the critically acclaimed Tafelmusik Chamber Choir and its director, Ivars Taurins.
Tafelmusik also seeks to transport audiences to the baroque and classical periods through insightful multimedia programs and adventurous cross-cultural collaborations. Our musicians share their knowledge and experience through comprehensive education and artist-training initiatives such as the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer and Winter Institutes. Tafelmusik’s recordings on the Sony, CBC Records, Analekta, and Tafelmusik Media labels have garnered ten JUNOs and numerous international recording prizes.
2019/20 SEASON PARTNERS
Tafelmusik wishes to thank the following for their generous support: BMO Financial Group, RBC Foundation, KPMG, Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, Whitmer Trudel Charitable Foundation, The Pluralism Fund, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Classical 96.3 FM, and NOW Magazine. Tafelmusik is a proud partner of the Bloor St. Culture Corridor.
Media contact: Luisa Trisi, Big Picture Communications, (416) 456-0499
luisa@luisatrisi.com | 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1X7