Il Mondo della Luna

2009 marked Haydn´s anniversary year as well as Nikolaus Harnoncourt´s 80th birthday. For this occasion the maestro chose Il mondo della luna, a delicious mixture of satire, comedy and science fiction based on a popular comedy by Carlo Goldoni. Haydn´s music unleashes a display of fireworks performed with irresistible energy by Harnoncourt and his ensemble. Renowned actor and director Tobias Moretti relates the story as a magical fairy tale infused with slapstick and fantasy costumes. “This piece is extreme, completely insane and very funny. Wherever you puncture the surface of Haydn, you come upon sheer madness.” Nikolaus Harnocourt

Silla

Handel’s opera Silla is probably the most enigmatic and unknown of all his operas. The production at the Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall, however, is not only a rare occasion, but also the world premiere of the full-stage version. Tadashi Miroku’s production is inspired by traditional Kabuki theatre, known for its highly stylised performances and often glamorous costumes and make-up. Fabio Biondi conducts “his” Europa Galante, an internationally renowned and award-winning ensemble for baroque music, performing together with a magnificent cast of singers representing the world of early music, such as Vivica Genaux and Roberta Invernizzi. “More than a common orchestra, Europa Galante looks like a guitar or multi-register harp struck by Biondi’s master hand”. (Amadeus)

Il Mondo della luna

It was an ideal constellation for an extraordinary musical event: the coincidence of the Haydn anniversary year with the 80th birthday of Nikolaus Harnoncourt. The universally acclaimed specialist of the Viennese Classical era chose a work by Haydn for his birthday tribute, ‘Il Mondo della Luna’. The dramma giocoso of 1777 is a delicious mixture of satire, comedy and science fiction based on an immensely popular comedy by 18th-century dramatist Carlo Goldoni.