Ad vocem

The Music of Prague Palaces & Gardens 1620

Selected from the unique collection of secular Italian early Baroque songs which have been preserved in Prague. These contain fiery villanellas and canzonettas as well as tender solo madrigals - all sharing the eternal theme of love.

The Mystical and Spiritual Music of Early-Baroque Prague

Bordering between secular and sacred music we find traces of typical Italian exaltation and mysticism. Most of these compositions have been drawn from Prague and Czech musical collections.

G. Marinoni, E Radesca di Foggia, G. P. Buonamente... (5-7 Musicians)

The Journey of 17th Century Instrumental Music from Italy to the Czech Lands

The dawn of the Baroque era brought sweeping developements to the field of instrumental music as well. These arrived in the Czech Lands primarily via the Italian virtuosos performing at the Emeror(s court in Vienna. These influences were reflected in the magnificant works of central European and local composers of the time.

Music Between Heaven & Earth in Early Baroque Prague

Blending secular and sacred elements at a time when Renaissance ideals were being replaced by Baroque sensuality. Renaissance polyphonic structure in the first half of the program slowly gives way to the flamboyance and rapture of the early Baroque.

O. di Lasso, J. Regnart, F. Sale, J. Campanus Vodnansky, E. Radesca di Foggia... (4-8 Mus.)

Italian Church Music of the Early Baroque

The famous era of early 17th century Italian music is full of inimitable melodic beauty - combining deep spiritual feeling and clear harmony. The repertoire of Ad Vocem includes a wide range of composers from various Italian city-states.

Claudio Monteverdi and His Contemporaries

Featuring the virtuostic madrigals of this great genius of Italian music and those of his colleagues - as they can be found in Czech sources.

C. Monteverdi, G. Fornaci, E. Radesca di Foggia... (6-8 Musicians)

Bartolomej Michal Zelenka - Oratorio about Isaac and Abraham

This unique (dialogue( by the nearly forgotten middle-Baroque composer from Southern Bohemia employs a highly dramatic pace as well as diverse and inventive melodies. Despite the conventions of the time, the libretto was originally written in Czech. The Program is further enhanced with compositions by Zelenka(s contemporaries.

B. M. Zelenka, A. Mazak, B. M. Cernohorský, A. Jarzebski, A. V. Michna... (8-9 Musicians)

Czech Baroque Christmas Music

The atmosphere of Christmas in Bohemia is foremost associated with songs by Adam Michna of Otradovic. At the same time, however, one was also likely to hear the equally charming music of other composers - whether from Bohemia or its neighboring countries.

K. V. Holan Rovenský, A. V. Michna, J. J. Božan, A. Mazak, G. B. Buonamente... (5-8 Musicians)