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In a snowy, wet and foggy Florentine evening, a cosy ray of light shone out in this church when a trio of musicians charmed our frozen extremities with music by Vivaldi, Mozart, JS Bach, Corelli, Schubert, Durante, Handel and Henry Purcell. Antonella Pistoi, Oboe, Giovanni Vitangeli , Organ with Soprano Halina Moretti Pananti. Their excellent musicianship and poise was heart warming and the excellent accoustic of the venue brings out the best as their notes flirted and echoed around the church. They were a bit hampered by the enormous Christmas Crib which dominated the altar, but when I visit again in September 2006 this will not detract from the enjoyment of the music. If you get the Florence seek out these performances as they are not widely advertised but the church is just off the main shopping street of the city and well worth a visit. I really enjoyed the performances The mist and snow did not deter my forays into the musical life of this great city for a concert featuring Counter Tenor Marco Pupo, violinist Francesco Tarchi and Organist Giovanni Vitangeli. The programme included works by Vivaldi, Pergolesi, J.S. Bach, C Franck, F Schubert, N Paganini amd Henry Purcell. Pupo sang Purcell's 'If music be the food of love' with great feeling and Pergolesi's aria 'Fac ut Portem' brought out the colours in his voice. In his playing of Paganini's Cantabile violinist Tarchi seemed almost to make the instrument sing with a human voice. Vitangeli's mastery of the organ was a joy to hear. We had a great night and a good audience was a testament to the pleasure these fine musicians bring to their city. The proceeds from these concerts help in the restoration work on the church and bring joy into a winter's chilly weather. Brave performances in a chilly venue with the audience muffled up against the wintery conditions. It was a pleasure to attend |
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