Programs 2025 - 2027
Barbara
2027 is the 350th year of Barbara Strozzi's death. This strong and unique woman composed music with the same virtuosity as Monteverdi, at a time when the (art) world was dominated by men. Barbara was the illegitimate daughter of a Venetian intellectual and poet. Even at a young age, her enormous musical talent became apparent. The extroverted and expressive style of her songs, for which she often wrote the lyrics herself and which she sang at meetings organized by her father, were completely renewed. On those nights, Barbara was the star, the audience compared her to the mythical Orpheus. She was one of the first women to publish her music under her own name. Moreover, she was not married but had four illegitimate children. In short: a rebellious special woman who first of all wrote beautiful and innovative music. La Primavera has now put together a concert in which the Argentinian soprano Gaia Szames takes on Barbara's shoes to tell about her life and sing some of her most beautiful songs.
Performers: Gaia Szames - soprano, Regina Albanez – theorbe and baroque guitar, Maaike Boekholt – viola da gamba
A laugh and a tear - music from the Italian and Spanish early baroque
The early baroque was a period of musical renewal and intense expression. In Italy and Spain, new forms emerged in which text and emotion were central. Composers played with contrasts, from playful irony to profound melancholy. In this program we bring this richness to life with vocals, theorbe, guitar and viola da gamba – a line-up that does justice to both the intimate Italian style and the fiery Spanish soul.
Laugh at yourself
Both the Italian and the early Spanish barok have humor and lightheartedness. In Italy, playful works were written with lively rhythms and unexpected twists. In Spain, the tonada flourished, often full of irony, exciting rhythms and folk influences. The energetic, sometimes naughty melodies provide a smile and make the interaction between voice and instruments extra lively.
Tears of sorrow
The 17th century brought music that seems to come straight from the heart. The Italian lamenti are deeply felt and full of melancholy. In Spain, composers such as Juan Hidalgo and José Marín found their own way of expressing loss and desire, often with long-held lines and expressive decorations. The combination of the plainting theorbe, the melancholic sounds of the viola da gamba and the compelling vocals is moving and tranquil.
Tears of happiness
Not all tears flow from sadness – sometimes they are of joy and enraption. The exuberant Italian baroque music also exudes zest for life. From Spain sound rhythmically stirring villancicos, full of passion and danceable energy. The guitar and the viola da gamba, together with the voice, weave a world of sound that takes the audience to bustling squares and exuberant parties.
Public reactions:
The intensity of this music continues to lag. "Chicken skin!" We heard after a dramatic lament, while a playful Canarios conjured up a smile on faces. The music is a timeless mirror of the human heart – with a smile and a tear!
Performers: Gaia Szames - soprano, Regina Albanez - baroque guitar, theorbe, Maaike Boekholt - viola da gamba, expansion possible with Gerard de Bruyne - live artist
Festa Italiana - celebration of 400 years of Giovanni Legrenzi
Welcome to “An Italian Feast”, a sparkling celebration of the 400th birthday of Giovanni Legrenzi (1626-1690), one of the most influential composers of the Italian Baroque. In the company of both well-known (Claudio Monteverdi) and unknown contemporaries (Barbara Strozzi), La Primavera takes you into a world full of brilliant, moving music.
Legrenzi's career took him to musical centers such as Ferrara, Bergamo and bustling Venice, where he worked in the famous San Marco, among others. His works, characterized by their rich expression and lush melodies, touch the soul and reveal the versatility of the Italian Baroque.
In addition to the music, you can enjoy entertaining and informative quotes from letters and prefaces by the composers themselves. These lyrics offer a light-hearted and sometimes humorous view of their life and work, and give you a unique insight into the (musical) life of the 17th century.
Let yourself be cared away by the sounds of early Italian baroque and discover the magic of Legrenzi and his contemporaries!
Performers: Gaia Szames - soprano, Thomasz Piusa and Mimi Mitchell - violin, Regina Albanez - theorbe and baroque guitar, Maaike Boekholt - viola da gamba
Concerto di Natale - Christmas program
In this program, composed of Italian and Spanish vocal and instrumental music from the seventeenth century, Maria is central. Not only the spiritual but also the human side of the mother of the baby Jesus will be heard, as in “Hor ch'e tempo di dormire”, by Merula or in the moving cradle “Figlio dormi” by Kapsberger. To put the child to sleep, in “Canten dos Jilgerillos” by Escalada two thistle finches sing as witnesses of all the beautiful feelings and beauty that the Christmas season brings.
In this concert, in which celebration and reflection come together, further works by composers Monteverdi, Marini, Vitali, Duron and Hidalgo can be heard, among others.
Performers: Gaia Szames - soprano, Tomasz Plusa/Mimi Mitchell - baroque violin, Regina Albanez - baroque guitar, theorbe, Maaike Boekholt - viola da gamba
This program can be carried out in an occupation of 3 to 6 people
Transparencies – in the light of Vermeer and Velazquez
On the occasion of the 350th day of Vermeer's death, La Primavera, together with artist Gerard de Bruyne, presents the musical-visual performance “Transparencies”.
Starting with two blank canvases, Gerard de Bruyne is inspired by a selection of paintings by Vermeer and his Spanish contemporary Velazquez, both of whom were so well able to capture the inner feelings and thoughts of the depicted persons through subtle revelations/transparents.
Thus, two different portraits are created in the course of the performance: the southern light in Velazquez's paintings is captured in fast and free brush movements. This is musically translated by the passionate and rhythmic music of Spanish composers such as Jose Hidalgo, Jose Marin and Sebastian Duron. During the refined songs and intimate stories of the Dutch Constantijn Huygens, which could sound beautiful in Vermeer's luminous northern interiors, Gerard creates a different portrait, intimate/refined and harmonious.
In “Transparencies” (the extent to which one can see through a material), musicians and artist work together in search of the light and emotions that the paintings and music evoke together. These are connected in the performance to the theme of the beauty of everyday, which both painters have interpreted so beautifully in the so-called scenes (Netherlands) and bodegones (Spain). Images and sounds complement each other in a free interpretation and dynamic dialogue. They show not only the differences but also the kinship of the musical works and the paintings.
Gerard de Bruyne is a much sought-after live artist. He is currently touring the country with the Matangi Quartet. He has worked with many different musicians such as Frank Groothof, the NedPho, RPHO, Janine Jansen, Phion, and members of the Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Performers: Gaia Szames - soprano, Regina Albanez - baroque guitar, theorbe, Maaike Boekholt - viola da gamba, Gerard de Bruyne - live artist
Food of Love - a musical triptych
The collaboration with the soprano Elisabeth Hetherington turns out to be a golden combination: a young, expressive soloist paired with an experienced and tuned continuo/accompaniment: Regina Albanez (theorbe and lute) and Maaike Boekholt (viola da gamba). Together they developed the program Food of Love with works by Henry Purcell. The three-part program is complemented by English instrumental music and "musical humors" by a.o. John Dowland and Tobias Hume. The three musicians connect the music through poetic and humorous stories.
Music can give a smile in an embrace that nourishes and comforts. “Let the Music be the food of life”!
Performers: Elisabeth Hetherington - soprano, Regina Albanez - baroque guitar, theorbe, Maaike Boekholt - viola da gamba
Tous les Matins du Monde
A listener of this program wondered in advance why there would be live music with the film “Tous les Matins du Monde”: “the music from the film is beautiful enough!” But she enthusiastically agreed afterwards that live music does much more to you, and that was exactly the intention! This award-winning film (including for best film music) is about two famous 17th century composers (Monsieur de Sainte Colombee and Marin Marais) in their search for the magic of music.
Performers: Maaike Boekholt and Floris van der Voort - gamba, Regina Albanez - theorbe, Diede Vonken - singing and Jeff Mennen - technique
EXTRA:
Our music is (in various formations) also beautiful and suitable for performing during a funeral, farewell or party. Please contact us for this.