Joan Manuel Serrat’s compositions are an integral part of Spanish and South American culture. "Mediterráneo", for example, was voted Song of the Century in Spain. In this album, Leonardo García Alarcón immerses himself in the poetic texts that Serrat set to music and juxtaposes them with pieces from the Golden Age.
Although Lully never held an official position in the King’s chapel, he had a decisive role in the development of the grand motet, an emblem of the Grand Siècle. He composed ceremonial motets for the court that celebrated the glory of God and that of the king. His Dies irae and De profundis were performed at Queen Maria Theresa’s grandiose royal funeral in 1683. However, his most famous motet is Te Deum, a favourite of the king’s.
After the resounding success of their Francesco Cavalli album, Cappella Mediterranea presents a programme dedicated to the a voce sola works of Claudio Monteverdi, from the famous Lamento d'Ariana to the sublime (and less well-known) Voglio da vita uscir. Mariana Flores embodies the most moving characters in this repertoire.
In this version, Leonardo García Alarcón incorporates three meditations for choir that come from Scarlatti’s little-known polyphonic responsories for Holy Week.
Five singers gather around a small organ in tense competition, their breaths held as their voices descend in extraordinarily rugged chromaticisms. The gesture of the conductor behind his instrument slows down time, stretches notes and weaves invisible threads between the voices. 24 heures - reportage on the work's creation
Cipriano de Rore, Ancor Che col partire Ricerar is celebrating its 35th anniversary in a highly original way with a tribute to the most brilliant Flemish Renaissance composers! The works of Cipriano de Rore (1515/16- 1565) continued to be performed long after his death. Dozens of embellished versions of his madrigals were performed up to the beginning of the 17th century. His success was truly exceptional.
In this programme, Leonardo García Alarcón remains faithful to Venetian instrumentation. He submits to the vigour and intimacy of a music that is devoid of the stylistic clumsiness and conventions that would define opera after Cavalli’s death.
The Vespro della Beata Vergine is an audacious medley of colours and styles, a testament to the genius of Monteverdi, who inspired the whole of Europe. Remaining faithful to the shades and intensity of his work, Leonardo García Alarcón, infuses the vespers with vitality, fervour and grace.
Gioseffo Zamponi’s Ulisse all'isola di Circe was the first opera to be performed in Southern Netherlands. It premiered in Brussels on 24 February 1650 in honour of Philip IV of Spain’s marriage to Maria-Anna of Austria. It is written in the new style of Venetian operas with highly distinctive characters and a language that combines recitar cantado with arias, alternating between theatricality and episodes of great emotion. The opera enthralled all the artists who took part in its resurrection. This production reunites all three ensembles led by Leonardo García Alarcón.