The current surge in interest in Italy for baroque music has led to a proliferation of concerts and events celebrating the musicians and composers of the baroque period (from the end of the 1500s to the beginning of the 1700s). One of the most important and prestigious of these festivals will soon open in Cremona.
Indeed the 18th edition of Cremona's Monteverdi Festival, dedicated - you've guessed it - to Cremona's most famous son Claudio Monteverdi, runs from May 24^th up until June 10^th. The programme spanning the three weeks of the festival is centred around Monteverdi and his compositions, although other composers are also featured.

Ample space is given to different forms of musical expression: Monteverdi's music gets the electronic treatment in an interesting choreographic piece. Michael Nyman, one of the most important contemporary composers - Nyman wrote the critically acclaimed score for Jane Campion's film "The Piano" and regularly works with director Peter Greenaway - makes the world premiere of his 'recomposition' of Orfeo at the Festival. (Orfeo is Monteverdi's version of the classical myth Orpheus and Eurydice, where Orpheus journeys into the Underworld to save his beloved. )

We've picked two concerts for you from the wonderful selection available: Saturday May 26^th, in the Church of San Marcellino the Capella Real de Catalunya and l’Hesperion XXI conducted by Jordi Savall, in a special production for the Festival, will play one of Monteverdi's masterpieces -the Vespro della beata Vergine; Wednesday June 6^th, once more in San Marcellino's Church, L’aura soave Ensemble will play l’Oratorio della settimana santa. Look out for bass Sergio Foresti, in the role of Pilate, one of baroque music's most promising voices.

Useful information
The Festival is organised by Ponchielli Theatre. Contact the Theatre office for information on the Festival. Those wishing to secure the best seats will be pleased to know that, up to 48 hours before concerts you can make online bookings.