Presentation

The Department of Early Music at the Conservatory of Vicenza was one of the first in Italy to offer first and second level Academic Degrees (Bachelor and Master) in specific Early Music disciplines. Historically informed performance practices are taught in a whole range of primary instrument and voice courses as well as highly specialized theory and history courses focusing on Early Music.

Since the early 1990’s, the Department has involved students and teachers in numerous musical projects and performances combining musicological research with historical performance practices. Public concerts are frequently given in extraordinary historical settings such as the Teatro Olimpico, Villa Cordellina, Villa Contarini, San Lorenzo Church Vicenza, Santa Corona Temple Vicenza, Basilica del Santo at Padua, Basilica dei Frari at Venice, Palazzo Tursi at Genoa, in addition to other venues ideal for Early Music repertoire. The Early Music Department’s larger ensemble productions have included Johannes Passion, Magnificat and Brandenburg Concertos by J.S. Bach, Dido and Aeneas by H. Purcell, Sacrae Symphoniae by G. Gabrieli, Gloria and Magnificat by A. Vivaldi, Te Deum by M.A. Charpentier, Leçons de Ténèbres by F. Couperin, Missa Alleluia by I. Biber.

In 2015 the Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble of the Department ha realized the first world performance in modern time of the oratorium “La morte di S. Antonio di Padova" by Bonaventura Aliotti, a CD recording of which is to be released soon. Guest performers such as M. Huggett, N. North, T. Mathot, T. Koopman, S. Kuijken, H. Smith, D. Laurin, A. Bernardini and many others, have been invited to work with students, some of them returning several times.