Vache Baroque launches ROSSI 400 series

Buckinghamshire-based opera company, Vache Baroque, has today revealed plans for a project celebrating the 400^th anniversary of the publishing of Salomone Rossi’s ‘The Songs of Solomon’. Centred around a series of concerts of music by Rossi and his contemporaries, the project will run from 9 September to 13 December.

Today’s launch is accompanied by the release of a new music video featuring madrigals by Rossi and his contemporary Thomas Weelkes interpreted by dancers from BirdGang Ltd. As well as performances at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue (9 September), Belsize Square Synagogue (11 November) and St John’s Smith Square (13 December), Rossi will be celebrated at a concert held in the historic hall of The Vache house (4 November) accompanied by Jewish-Italian cuisine.

Artistic director Jonathan Darbourne, who curated this concert, said: ‘Rossi was a highly-regarded Jewish violinist and composer working alongside Claudio Monteverdi in Mantua. Not only was he the first to compose contemporary-styled pieces to Hebrew texts, he also pioneered the trio sonata genre that was to become à la mode across Europe during the 17th century. From solo lute songs and instrumental improvisation to expansive double-choir textures, this will be an evening of passionate contrasts - a truly Baroque storytelling.’

The programme will be performed by the Vache Baroque singers (pictured above) accompanied by instrumental ensemble La Vaghezza. The concert at St John’s Smith Square will close the series, framing the story of Hanukkah through Rossi’s ‘Songs of Solomon’ psalm settings and sound and visual installations.