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"Body and Soul" with Crescendo (Great Barrington, MA)

  • Saint James Place 352 Main Street Great Barrington, MA, 01230 United States (map)

Roman composer Emilio Cavalieri wrote and premiered his groundbreaking work Rappresentatione di anima et di corpo  with great success in 1600. The question remains, whether this work is considered an opera or an oratorio.

The subject, an allegorical drama, is a lively debate over worldly vanities versus a spiritual life. It features six allegorical figures: Anima, the Soul (soprano), Corpo, the Body (baritone), Good Counsel (bass), Intellect (tenor), Time (bass), Pleasure (mezzo-soprano), and a chorus that comments on the action, accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Arias, recitativos, ensemble pieces and dance alternate to create a varied and dramatic and entertaining representation of the plot. This is something that we take for granted now, as we are so used to this format in opera, cantata, oratorio, and also the popular contemporary musicals.

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May 10

"Body and Soul" with Crescendo (Lakeville, CT)

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May 13

"A Health To The Company" with Seven Times Salt (Boston)