Vivaldi, Bohemia and 1723 | Fiori Musicali Chamber Orchestra

The highlight of Fiori’s 40th anniversary season in the beautiful setting of Castle Ashby.

Fiori's popular high summer concert this year features glorious soprano, Judit Felszeghy and dazzling baroque violinist Kerstin Linder-Dewan in music by Bach and Vivialdi.

1723 was a key year. In the Czech lands, Vivaldi’s patron Charles VI was crowned King of Bohemia in 1723 and for the occasion the Prague-born composer Zelenka wrote his opera Sub Olea Pacis with its sublime Angel Aria. Vivaldi too had connections with Bohemia; he dedicated much of his output to the Bohemian Count Morzin. We also include Vivaldi’s virtuosic Laudate Pueri Dominum (parts sourced in Prague), which Vivaldi may have written for Anna Giraud, his pupil and paramour (whom he met in Mantua around 1723!) And JS Bach, a great admirer of Vivaldi, moved from Cöthen to Leipzig in 1723, taking with him many concertos he had written for the Prince of Anhalt-Cöthen - one of which Kerstin Linder-Dewan performs.

The grounds open for picnics at 4pm.