La Serenissima

Vivaldi was a violinist without equal, but baroque Venice hosted superstar performers on every type of instrument, and he never failed to rise to the challenge. Today, La Serenissima is joined by the mandolin virtuoso Raffaele La Ragione – an artist with a deep affinity for the Italian baroque, in whose hands the mandolin can weep, sing, dance and (of course) laugh. Naturally, Vivaldi’s Mandolin Concerto is the centrepiece of tonight’s concert, but when La Serenissima takes the stage, all bets are off. Expect an evening filled with 18th century surprises and delights, from showstopping musical fireworks to heartfelt Italian melody. Programme At 6pm: Pre-concert talk by MATTHEW RICE, author of Venice: A Sketchbook Guide Concerto IX for Violin, Strings & Continuo in D Minor RV 232, Opus 8 Concerto for Mandolin, Strings & Continuo in C Major RV 425 Concerto XI for Violin, Strings & Continuo in D Major, RV 210, Opus 8 -INTERVAL- Concerto for Viola d’amore, Lute, Strings & Continuo in D Minor, RV 540 Concerto for Strings & Continuo in F Major, RV 142 Concerto for 2 Mandolins, Strings & Continuo in G Major, RV 532 Performers La Serenissima Adrian Chandler violin Raffaele La Ragione mandolin