Nicola Benedetti joins Armonico Consort

Buy photos » Nicola Benedetti - Warwick date with Armonico Consort. (s)

NICOLA Benedetti, one of the world’s greatest violinists is to perform with Armonico Consort in Warwick.

The internationally-renowned Warwick-based chamber choir and orchestra will be joined by Nicola for the third time in a programme which will include works from her latest album Italia – a recording hailed with five star reviews - at St Mary's Church on March 29.

The programme will also feature Viivaldi’s violin concerto Il Grosso Mogul and arrangements for violin solo of two of his most revered soprano arias – Nulla in Mundo Pax and Vedro con mio diletto.

Armonico Consort first performed with Nicola when she was just 18, after becoming the BBC Young Musician of the Year in front of an audience of 4,000 at the Hampton Court Palace Festival in 2005, and have since performed with her in a variety of programmes.

Christopher Monks, artistic director of Armonico Consort, said: ‘It has always been a huge privilege to work with Nicola – the musicians all love her, and she is utterly inspiring.

"What will be very interesting this time is that for the first time, she is using a baroque bow for the performance, which is a slightly different shape to a modern bow, and commands a different phrasing from the instrument, creating a more vibrant, voice like and exciting result from the music.

The programme is being paired with two epic, and massive 16 part rarely performed choral works by Francesco Scarlatti.

Asked why they were rarely performed, Mr Monks said: "They are so alarmingly difficult to sing. They require virtuosic techniques from all of the singers, and most importantly, nerves of steel.

"We did the world premiere recording of these back in 2003 with Dame Emma Kirkby, and has since performed them in London, Naples and Tel Aviv. I truly believe that they are some of the most exciting choral works ever to have been written for choir and orchestra."

Tickets for the performance are priced at £39.50 - to include drinks reception in the crypt - £27.50/£22.50/£17.50/£12.50 ( Children under 16 free if accompanied by an adult). They are available by visiting www.armonico.org.uk or calling 0844 581 0750.

Nicola Benedetti - Warwick date with Armonico Consort. (s)

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