Concerto de’ Cavalieri
Baroque ensemble
Biography
Concerto de’ Cavalieri is considered “one of the most dynamic and exciting Italian groups dedicated to period instrument performance” (Fanfare Magazine), “historically sensitive and artistically elegant” (Gramophone).
Under the direction of harpsichordist and conductor Marcello Di Lisa, the Cavalieri Concerto quickly established itself as one of Italy’s leading period instrument orchestras.
The ensemble performs at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Musikverein in Vienna, Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Philharmonie Essen, Kölner Philharmonie, Staatsoper Berlin, Herkulessaal München, Theater an der Wien, De Bijloke, De Singel, Arsenal de Metz, Centro Cultural de Belém in Lisbon, Sala Verdi in Milan, Festival d’Ambronay, Festival de Radio France, Rheingau Musik Festival, Musikfest Bremen, Schwetzinger SWR Festspiele etc.
The orchestra’s activity is also strengthened by the collaboration with internationally renowned soloists such as Samuel Mariño, Daniela Barcellona, Mari Eriksmoen, Vivica Genaux, Ann Hallenberg, Kristina Hammarström, Sara Mingardo, Ana Quintans, Valer Sabadus, Andreas Scholl, Maurice Steger among others.
The Concerto de’ Cavalieri has been experiencing intense recording activity for Sony for many years. He is particularly involved in The Baroque Project, a multi-year project with Sony Classical on Italian opera of the 18th century that is in its fifth volume, aiming to rediscover rare masterpieces of Italian Baroque opera. The first four CDs were respectively dedicated to the airs and opera openings of Alessandro Scarlatti, Pergolesi, Vivaldi and Albinoni, with many world premieres.
They have all received rave reviews, including several nominations at the International Classical Music Awards. The latest album in this series features the opera openings and concertos by Alessandro Scarlatti in seven parts, and again includes many world premiere recordings.
MARCELLO DI LISA, conductor
The harpsichordist and conductor Marcello Di Lisa is the founder of the Concerto de’ Cavalieri. He obtained a doctorate in philology and Greek and Latin literature from the University of Pisa and collaborated with major journals in the field of ancient philosophy, while studying piano, harpsichord and composition.
A specialist of Alessandro Scarlatti, passionately dedicated to the rediscovery of forgotten works of the Italian Baroque, he created several operas and serenata, including Erminia de Scarlatti, La Jole de Porpora and Tito Manlio of 1720 by Vivaldines, all recorded live on the main stages internationales..
Marcello Di Lisa has also planned and directed numerous critically acclaimed recordings for Sony and Cpo. He notably launched with Sony Classical The Baroque Project, a multi-year project on Italian opera of the 18th century including many world premiere recordings, which is in its fifth volume and has received several nominations at the International Classical Music Awards.
In the field of musicological research, he studies the Roman musical heritage of the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, with a particular focus on the unpublished works of Alessandro Scarlatti.
Press
“Energie communicative, dynamisme des rythmes. […] Difficile de ne pas succomber à un tel sens de la mise en scène !”
Classica Magazine
“Concerto de’ Cavalieri is one of the finest Baroque ensembles.”
Forum Opera
“Cavalieri’s Concerto offers us a unique experience.”
Muse Baroque
“Concerto de’ Cavalieri is one of Italy’s most vibrant and exciting groups dedicated to period-instrument performance of 18th century music.”
Fanfare
“Marcello Di Lisa und sein Concerto de’ Cavalieri sind dabei echte Spezialisten […]. Viel Temperament, Leidenschaft und großer Expertise.
Westdeutscher Rundfunk
“Sensible historically and stylish artistically. […] The effect is splendid, with impressive solo contribution from a team that includes several eminent Italian specialists. Highly recommended.”
Gramophone
“Concerto de’ Cavalieri’s technically sterling musicianship has a refreshing clarity, without any loss of rhythmic liberty. It has vigor, thrust and eloquence.”
Musical America
“Concerto de’ Cavalieri offers taut, vigorous ensemble playing and some deft obbligato solos.”
BBC Music Magazine
“Ein exquisites, mit viel Verve aufspielendes Ensemble.”
Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk
“Il suono del Concerto de’ Cavalieri è estremamente pulito, le dinamiche ricchissime, la scansione ritmica inebriante, la varietà espressiva talvolta prodigiosa.”
L’Opera
“Ein klangliches Feuerwerk […] Herausgekommen ist eine Musik, die man bis dato eigentlich gut zu kennen glaubte.”
Norddeutscher Rundfunk
“Das Resultat ist exzeptionell. Die Rhythmik ist scharf wie ein Rasiermesser, die Dynamik phänomenal.”
Pizzicato
“Dem Concerto de’ Cavalieri zuzuhören, ist ein Genuss.”
Süddeutsche Zeitung
“Dann wieder fährt das in historischer Aufführungspraxis so ungemein versierte Concerto de’ Cavalieri die Dynamik auf ein Pianissimo zurück, dass die ganze Feinheiten der Musik in allen Details hörbar werden.”
Norddeutscher Rundfunk
“Un virtuosismo vertiginoso.”
La Repubblica
“Concerto de’ Cavalieri scintilla per nobile eloquenza, estro e individualità strumentali di gran lusso.”
Amadeus