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Il Pomo D'Oro: Stradella's San Giovanni Battista

with Jakub Józef Orliński

,Hall
Il Pomo D'Oro sitting on steps

© Grzesiek Mart

The Biblical tale of John the Baptist ends with the hero’s head on a platter. In this pacy, character-driven 17th-century oratorio, Salomé’s powers of persuasion lie not in dance but in song.

The characters of Stradella’s San Giovanni Battista come to life through an emotionally direct libretto (in Italian instead of the customary Latin) and vividly expressive music.

St John goes to the court of King Herod to criticise Herod’s marriage to his brother’s widow. Herod imprisons him, and his wife persuades her daughter, Salome, to request St John’s execution. The drama builds over 40 arias, recitatives, duets and choruses which demand the very best from singers.

Composer Stradella’s short life was packed with darkly sensational escapades until his assassination by a hired killer. His oratorio ends on a note of moral uncertainty that is deeply human.

Critically acclaimed for his recordings of early music, the young countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński is resoundingly popular with audiences.

Tagged with: Classical music Young Barbican International and Guest Ensembles More...

The concert will finish at approximately 8.50pm with no interval. 

Presented by the Barbican. 

Part of International and Guest Ensembles.

Barbican Classical Music Programme receives major support from Marcus Margulies and additional support In Memory of John Murray.

Programme

  • Alessandro Stradella   San Giovanni Battista

Performers

  • Il Pomo d'Oro  
  • Francesco Corti   director / harpsichord
  • Jakub Józef Orliński   countertenor
  • Alex Rosen, Emmanuelle de Negri, Jiayu Jin, and Nick Scott  

Ticket prices

Standard
From £24 (£20 + £4 transaction fee)

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Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

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