Salzburg Festival 2026: Lea Desandre & Ensemble Jupiter perform Vivaldi

Mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre and Ensemble Jupiter under the direction of lutenist Thomas Dunford present an all-Vivaldi programme of ravishing contrasts — fiery operatic arias, tender sacred pages, and brilliant concertos. Desandre brings her luminous agility to some of Vivaldi's most dramatic vocal writing, from the vengeful fury of 'Armatae face' to the hushed intimacy of 'Cum dederit', while cellists Nicolas Altstaedt and Bruno Philippe add their own voices in concertos that sing with equal eloquence. Dunford's lute shimmers at the centre of the ensemble, threading together a portrait of Vivaldi at his most vivid and inventive. PROGRAM: Vivaldi: ‘Vedrò con mio diletto’ from the opera Il Giustino RV 717; ‘Armatae face et anguibus’ from the oratorio Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernes barbarie RV 644; Cello Concerto in A minor RV 419; ‘Cum dederit’ from Nisi Dominus for alto, viola d’amore and strings RV 608 and more