Concert du Mardi

Haendel meets Carbonelli

This program highlights two composers: Giovanni Stefano Carbonelli, a highly regarded violinist of his time but almost forgotten today, and Georg Friedrich Handel, a major figure of the 18th century.

Born in Livorno, Carbonelli quickly turned to the violin, studying first under Arcangelo Corelli in Rome and later performing in Venice. Around 1716, Antonio Vivaldi even dedicated a concerto to him. His trail goes cold until 1719, when John Manners, the third Duke of Rutland, invited him to England.

Carbonelli soon became the leader at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, establishing himself as both a successful performer and a prolific composer of sonatas, songs, and concertos. Unfortunately, only the Sonate da camera, published in 1729 with Manners' support, has survived. These high-quality sonatas reflect Corelli's influence, blending fugal and slow movements, providing musicians with opportunities to shine through ornamentation.

What links Carbonelli and Handel? Their shared patron, John Manners, brought them together. After leaving Drury Lane in 1728 to become an independent musician, Carbonelli conducted Handel's oratorios until 1744.

This program offers chamber music that might have been performed in the salons of London’s nobility, particularly at the residence of the Duke of Rutland. Bojan Čičić and Steven Devine take on the challenge of recreating the atmosphere of such an evening, bringing back to life a forgotten talent alongside a recognized master.