For the third consecutive year, the Istituto Italiano Antonio Vivaldi, is holding the Accademia
Vivaldi, a series of advanced workshops devoted to exploring the performance practice of the
music of the “Red Priest”, addressed to young musicians and singers.
Six workshops have already been held from February to July: four taught by the soprano
Gemma Bertagnolli, devoted to the sacred and profane vocal repertoire, one by the violinist
Giorgio Fava and one by the cellist Walter Vestidello, dedicated to the repertoires for violin and
cello, respectively. The remaining four workshops will held between September and November:
the first (18 to 21 September) will focus on studying the vocal repertoire, the second (23 to 26
October), led by the harpsichordist Antonio Frigé, will explore playing and studying the basso
continuo in Vivaldi’s compositions, while the third and fourth (both from 25 to 30 November)
will be specifically for string players.
In addition to studying performing techniques, the workshop participants can explore the
various theoretical aspects of Vivaldi’s compositions and contexts by consulting reproductions
of period manuscripts and prints, modern musical editions and musicological publications
on the composer preserved in the archive and library of the Istituto Italiano Antonio Vivaldi.
The Accademia Vivaldi events include two public concerts at the Squero Auditorium on the
Island of San Giorgio Maggiore: the first, featuring the students of the singing class, was held
on Saturday, 13 July, while the second will take place on Saturday, 30 November.