When music imitates reality

The Fernandez Blanco Museum in the Retiro district of Buenos Aires houses a collection of Hispanic American art, but is also distinguished by its connection to music. Legendary violins by Italian violin makers rest in its halls .

The most magnificent of these is a Guarnerius, preserved in pristine condition. Perhaps this is why it has its own Baroque music ensemble called "Capilla del Sol" (Chapel of the Sun), dedicated to the dissemination of South American colonial music.

Music as a bridge – First edition of the Buenos Aires Baroque Music Festival

It is therefore no surprise that the Noel Palace , home to the museum, was chosen as the venue for Buenos Aires' first Baroque music festival . The first concert took place on Saturday, August 9th, at 4 p.m., and the last will be held at the same time on Sunday, August 17th. The program comprises only five concerts, but it is very diverse and brings together the best of Baroque music from this region of the world, as Chilean and Uruguayan performers will also be featured alongside Argentinian artists. Tickets are inexpensive at €3 and can be purchased at the museum entrance before each concert.

It was an excellent decision to open the festival with the Ensemble Fulmini . Founded in 2012, this ensemble, comprised of teachers from the city of Rosario specializing in Baroque repertoire, plays on replicas of historical instruments. On this occasion, they presented the program "Música poética" (poetic music), whose aim is to transport the listener from winter into spring.

The concert began with the overture to Henry Purcell 's semi-opera King Arthur . This was followed by a performance of Vivaldi's "Winter," preceded by a reading of the sonnet that had inspired the composer. Antonio Vivaldi was one of the first composers to create descriptive music. With his compositions, he aimed to imitate natural sounds and evoke moods. The music performed by Ensemble Fulmini painted a vivid picture of winter, full of shivering, chattering teeth, and brisk walks through the snow.

Purcell's work "King Arthur" depicts the battle between the Britons and the Saxons. At one point, the pagan spirits of the forest are summoned, including the spirit of Cold. This was the second piece masterfully interpreted by the Ensemble Fulmini . The baroque oboe replaced the singer in the Song of Cold from the third act, a beautiful section that opened the suite based on the opera "King Arthur." Following this, various pieces from the opera were performed, including the highly successful "How blest are shepherds" and "Your hay it is mow'd . "

Then came the highlight of the concert: a highly virtuosic interpretation of Vivaldi's "Spring." The piece was a true delight; the trills of the opening Allegro were very well executed, the Largo lively, and the concluding Allegro pastorale magnificent. The entire ensemble shone, and the audience rewarded them with prolonged applause. Gustavo Di Giannantonio, the solo violinist, delivered a precise and expressive performance.

The concert concluded with a piece by Telerman entitled "La Burlesque." Telerman provides a meticulous musical depiction of the central characters of the Commedia dell'Arte. The oboist Agustín Tamagno offered commentary, introducing each character before the musicians played their melodies. The Harlequinade was beautiful, and Pierrot was impressive. The final minuet, a complex piece due to its intricate details, was brilliant. The sustained applause prompted an encore: a humorous piece from Purcell's semi-opera King Arthur .

A delightful first day with a classic Baroque repertoire spanning the various currents of the European Baroque. Ensemble Fulmini set the bar very high for the groups that will perform in the following concerts. We hope that this festival will become part of the city's long tradition of classical music festivals.

You can find the original event report in Spanish here: Cuando la música imita la realidad.

Important information:

Palacio Noel – Suipacha 1422 – Retiro – Buenos Aires – Argentina
Ensemble Fulmini * Members

Gustavo Di Giannantonio (violin), Nicolás Toneatto (violin), Rodolfo Marchesini (violin), Paula Weihmuller (viola), María Jesús Olondriz (cello), Guillermo Properzi (double bass), Juan Carlos Saez (clave), Agustín Tamagno (oboe) and Azul Chiavia (bassoon).

Next concerts

15.08 - 19.00 hs - La rama frondosa - Syntagma Musicum
16.08 - 16.00 hs - Por las huellas misioneras de América Latina - Capilla del Sol
17.08 - 16.00 hs - Selección de obras del barroco europeo - Música Dialéctica