It is time to do away with the misconception that early music is about nothing but boring heroes and antiquated stories! The 17th century brought a musical explosion into European life, and the composers of the era, as true hit factories, had a good sense for unearthing subjects that were truly interesting for the people of the era. Johann Heinrich Schmelzer and Claudio Monteverdi were both products of their time: although they were associated with aristocratic courts, their works reflected everyday life. This is how the Turkish threat menacing the Western world became a source of inspiration: if they wanted a fight, then a fight is what they would get! And the same thing was true in the concert hall.
For this performance, the Simplicissimus Chamber Ensemble has chosen one rarely performed musical treat by each Schmelzer and Monteverdi. This ensemble under the artistic direction of Zsombor Németh is a regular guest in Hungary's major concert halls. Performing on period instruments, this ensemble not only evokes the sound world of the Baroque period, they also strive to give the musical works the same revelatory effects as they had in their own time. The common denominator for the two works being played this time is duelling and fencing, combat with life and death hanging in the balance. Schmelzer, who spent much of his life in the Viennese court of Leopold I, was considered a versatile and supple composer by his contemporaries. In his 1668 work Fencing School, he was even able to evoke the illusion of the sound of clashing swords. The so-called 'combat madrigal' Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda was written late in Monteverdi's career and depicts the duel with an intense emotional world and dramatic compression. The disguised lovers fail to recognise each other on the battlefield, and their clash leads to an unusual and wrenching end.

The event will be followed by a free activity session on Banner Square entitled Reverberation for groups holding tickets to the performance.

Age: 10-14 year
Presented by: Müpa Budapest