Situated on 120 islands formed by 177 canals in the lagoon between the mouths of the Po and Piave rivers at the northern extremity of the Adriatic Sea, Venice became known as the “Queen of the Adriatic” reflecting its historic role as a naval power and commercial centre.
In 1668, “An Italian Voyage” by Richard Lassels was published, and the institution of the Grand Tour of Europe was born. The essential place to visit, was Italy. In the north, Venice was recognized as a greatest music centre both for its concerts and its operatic traditions. The violin was especially prized among Venetian composers, perhaps due to the proximity of eminent violin makers and families such as Amati and Stradivarius.
A fortuitous background indeed, into which Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice on March 4th, 1678. In 1738 Vivaldi was in Amsterdam in Vienna where he conducted a festive opening concert for the 100th Anniversary of the Schouwburg Theatre! In 1740/41 he arrived to Vienna, his final destination.
Vivaldi’s music became widely known, and performed, throughout Europe, due in large part to his publications with Estienne Roger of Amsterdam, whose distribution was well- organized. He had, for example, a distributor in Leipzig with whom Bach was in regular contact.
Bach indeed adapted a number of Vivaldi’s works for organ and harpsichord, and as concertos for harpsichord and strings. He also included several of Vivaldi’s works during the popular musical evenings which he organised during the 1730s at Zimmerman’s Coffee House in Leipzig.
Today Vivaldi is perhaps best known for his concertos in Venetian style, which he created and established for many future generations.
Cappella dell’Ospedale della Pietà and the new program L’Eleganza Capricciosa 2017 is part of the 300 year celebration of this marvelous works by Antonio Vivaldi. Cappella dell’Ospedale della Pietà is a baroque orchestra based on the model of the famous Antonio Vivaldi orchestra in Venice. Cappella dell’Ospedale della Pietà is no ordinary orchestra, but the only orchestra in the world comprising young talented women. It is based on the model of the orchestra from the 18th century, founded at a shelter for orphaned girls in Venice. The prestigious orchestra was promoted and developed by Antonio Vivaldi – “Maestro di Violino e di Coro” himself. Vivaldi’s extraordinary compositions as well as the exceptional artistic level contributed to Cappella dell’Ospedale della Pietà fame throughout Europe as well as being recognized as one of the best orchestras worldwide. Cappella recorded fantastic CD with the NYC MET opera solist, as well as with Venice and Vienna soloists Miriam Albano and Natalia Kawalek. The CD – Carnevale di Venezia presents the best arias of Vivaldi’s operas. L’Eleganza capricciosa is a new CD recorded in 2017, waiting for it’s release in 2018.
Stefan Plewniak a graduate from Conservatories in Krakow, Maastricht and Paris initiated the revival of Cappella dell’Ospedale della Pietà in 2013. Capella dell’ Ospedale della Pietà comprises young, passionate, international musicians from Italy, Poland, Austria, France, specialized in playing on period instruments. Cappella dell’Ospedale della Pietà’s goal is to perform music by Antonio Vivaldi and Venetian masters. During the past years the orchestra has been invited to perform in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Poland. In the near future performances are planned in other European countries as well as the USA, China, Japan. Concerts by Cappella dell’Ospedale della Pietà are characterized by an unique atmosphere, high artistic level, a particular sound idiom and incredible energy.