"La Virtuosissima" was the title bestowed upon the most exceptional singers in 18th-century Italy—those who performed even the most demanding pieces with effortless skill and refined taste, inspiring composers and captivating audiences. In our concert, Adriána Kalafszky will bring this tradition to life with a contemporary rendition of two of Handel’s exquisite cantatas for solo voice.

Notte placida e cheta, composed around 1707-08, is a mesmerizing portrayal of night, dreams, and contemplative love, while La Lucretia, written during the same period, dramatically unveils the intense emotional struggle of the title character, who, according to legend, takes her own life after being violated by the son of Rome's last king.

Handel’s secular cantatas, though relatively unknown until recent times, comprise a remarkable repertoire. The majority of his roughly 100 cantatas were composed within a few years, primarily for private performances, featuring voice, continuo, and occasionally one or two obbligato instruments. These works represent a significant legacy from his Italian years.

Like opera, cantatas are divided into recitative and arias, but unlike opera, they are intended as chamber music, performed in the intimate setting of a drawing room. In addition to the smaller, more personal space, KúlArt Productions emphasizes the use of authentic Baroque gestural language. This form of gesticulation complements the singing, helping to convey the emotions, character, and narrative, while making the text more comprehensible to the audience. Much like in the 18th century, the performers in these productions carefully analyze the plot, characters, and text, deeply internalizing the thoughts and emotions of the story’s figures. They then express these through posture, facial expressions, eye movements, body language, and hand gestures. This choreographed gestural language, combined with the intimate performance space and proximity of the singers, creates a profound impact on the audience and offers a unique aesthetic experience.

Programme:

Francesco Geminiani: Trio Sonata in D minor, Op. 1, No. 2 (H. 26)

George Frideric Handel: Notte placida e cheta – Cantata (HWV 142)

George Frideric Handel: Trio Sonata in G minor, Op. 2, No. 5 (HWV 390)

George Frideric Handel: La Lucretia – Cantata (HWV 145)

Performers and Contributors:

Adriána Kalafszky – soprano, Baroque gestures

László Paulik – violin

Ottilia Revóczky – violin

Bálint Maróth – cello

Augustin Szokos – harpsichord, artistic director

Edit Zeke – costume design

Mariann Makláry – wig, make-up

*Tickets for the performance can only be purchased online at tixa.hu.

** *By purchasing a supporter ticket, you help support the work of KúlArt Production and the creation of its productions. All contributions will be used entirely to fund the performers and collaborators.