L'Arpeggiata

Naples in the 17th century. The capital of music. The city where the opera was born and the commedia dell'arte. Its music academies strive to deliver the very best talent, musicians, composers but also the castrates who will turn out to become very famous. Tonight, the Italian ensemble L'Arpeggiata delves into this Naples of the seicento, playing the magnificent vocal repertoire that originated there. And thus a small war breaks out in the Gulf of Naples between small and big fish; the cause: a dodgy sardella sauce in which they are prepared. At the crib of the baby Jesus, shepherds sing "ninne nanne" lullabies; and in the streets of Naples, virtuosic, blazing dances are on display while in the palaces, castrati perform their virtuoso arias.

Founded in 2000, L'Arpeggiata is a French ensemble directed by Christina Pluhar. It consists of today's best European soloists. It is known for its spirit of adventure; in the words of The New York Times, "The concert was abundant evidence of L'Arpeggiata's adventurous artistry and entrepreneurial spirit. This concert, tonight in Eindhoven: full of drama, varied, vibrant and colourful as the city of Vesuvius itself.