An exclusive weekend celebrating the forgotten Florentine masterpieces from the time of the Medici Granducato
Presented by The Sacred Music Programme ‘Gonfaloniere’ Emma Beanland
The Mascarade Opera Foundation is proud to present an exclusive weekend of events to celebrate the performance of forgotten Florentine choral works from the time of the Medici Granducato, including works which will receive their first performance in nearly half a millennium.
This unique showcase of scholarship, tenacity and musical virtuosity brings together the extraordinary talents of the English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble and the Vox Medicea choir directed by Mark Spyropoulos, within the magnificent Medici State Rooms of the Palazzo Pitti, as we seek to restore this fundamental piece of Florentine culture.
In celebration of this cultural revival, the weekend will also include the presentation of a privately owned masterpiece by Caravaggio. Virtually unseen for over 300 years, this rare depiction of St John the Baptist will be presented at a private viewing at the historic Palazzo Tornabuoni followed by a masterclass given by world-renowned soprano and early-music pioneer Dame Emma Kirkby.
The weekend concludes with a grand Medici Mass as we restore these sublime sounds to their natural setting within the awe-inspiring church of Santi Michele e Gaetano.
The Sacred Music Programme, presented by 'Gonfaloniere' Emma Beanland, is a special project of the Mascarade Opera Foundation dedicated to the rediscovery and revival of the great choral tradition of Medici Florence, incorporating scholarship, education and world-class performance.
The Sacred Music Programme would like to knowledge the generous support of Benefactors Dr Alexandra Munroe, Kim D. Leeper & Elaine Giedrys-Leeper