Viva Baroque - Gala Concerts of Baroque Music in Novi Sad and Belgrade

May 6, Synagogue at 8 pm, Novi Sad & May 7, Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 8 p.m., Belgrade

Concert of the “New Trinity Baroque” ensemble from London

Soloists:
Bojan Čičić, baroque violin (Croatia/Great Britain)
Veronika Ruello, soprano (Russia/Switzerland) Sandro Rossi, countertenor (Italy/Belgium)
Predrag Gosta, harpsichord and conductor (Serbia/USA)

The ensemble “New Trinity Baroque” invites you to the first of two special gala concerts (the first is in Novi Sad, while the second is a day later in Belgrade) that celebrates the splendor of baroque music through the most beautiful works of the Italian and English repertoire. From the virtuoso concertos of Vivaldi and the dance movements of Corellio and Geminian, to the expressive arias and duets of George Frideric Handel and his overtures from operas and oratorios, the audience will experience a rich and varied musical experience full of emotion, deep contrasts and historical stylistic interpretation. Among the works that will be performed will be the pearls of the baroque repertoire such as the arias “Lascia ch’io pianga” and “Vedrò con mio diletto”, or the magnificent concerto grossa by Corelli, Vivaldi and Geminiania, among which is “La Folia” – one of the most exciting and dramatic baroque compositions.

The New Trinity Baroque ensemble was founded more than 25 years ago in London, and spent a good part of its life based in Atlanta (USA). Today it is recognized as one of the leading ensembles for early music in our country and in the world, and operates under the artistic direction of its founder, Predrag Gosta. The ensemble performed at prestigious festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and America, and collaborated with top artists such as soprano Evelyn Tubb, violinist Florian Deuter, recorder player Marion Webruggen and others. Their performances are known for their authenticity, virtuosity and emotional expressiveness, and they have recorded ten CD albums and performed at a large number of festivals and concerts. Their contribution to the development of early music in our country is particularly significant, as they have been performing as an ensemble in residence at the Belgrade Early Music Festival since 2013, and regularly perform with music students at the Belgrade Baroque Academy.

The concert will feature three top foreign artists as guests, who will perform as soloists alongside members of New Trinity Baroque: Bojan Čičić, Veronika Ruello and Sandro Rossi.

Bojan Čičić (Croatia/Great Britain) is one of the most outstanding baroque violinists today. He is the founder and artistic director of the Illyria Consort ensemble, and regularly performs as concertmaster of leading European early music ensembles, including The Academy of Ancient Music, Florilegium and others. He is especially appreciated for his interpretations of the music of J.S. Bach, F. Bieber and lesser-known baroque composers. His playing stands out for its technical precision, musical intelligence and deep expressiveness.

Veronika Ruello (Russia/Switzerland) is a soprano with a warm and powerful voice, whose repertoire includes works from Monteverdi to Mozart, as well as contemporary composers. She trained in Lugano, where she graduated from the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana, and performed in baroque concerts and operas throughout Europe – including collaborations with Ensemble Ascolta, Ensemble 900presente and festival performances in Germany, Italy and Switzerland. She was awarded at competitions and recognized for her expressive interpretation of both vocal and stage art. She made her debut in Belgrade last January in the role of Armida in the opera “Rinaldo”.

Sandro Rossi (Italy/Belgium) is a countertenor specialized in baroque opera and oratorio. He studied singing at the Antwerp Conservatory, and previously also acting, which contributed to his powerful stage expression. He performed roles in the operas “Artaserse” (J.C. Bach), “Dido and Aeneas” (Purcell), “L’incoronazione di Poppea” (Monteverdi), “L’Olimpiade” (Vivaldi) and “Orfeo ed Euridice” (Gluck), collaborating with renowned conductors and directors such as Sigiswald Kuijken and Greg Eldridge. He is the winner of several awards and recognitions at international competitions, and is known for his stylistically grounded and technically sovereign approach to the vocal literature of the 17th and 18th centuries. He debuted in Belgrade and Novi Sad last September in the roles of Julius Caesar and Tolomeo.