Monteverdiana

Little before the birth of Claudio Monteverdi, a scientific discovery which had profound implications for humanity broke through, transforming how people viewed the life, the world and their place within it. Mathematician and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus proposed that the Sun, rather than the Earth, lies at the center of the universe

This event challenged the long-standing geocentric model, and questioned the authority of religious and traditional views. With the rise of Humanism, which encouraged the study of classical Greek texts, the value of the individual and the potential for human achievement, scientific discoveries like that of Copernicus, placed the man, rather than God, at the center of cultural life, prioritizing human experience and expression over divine authority.

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Alongside this scientific revolution, the musical world was undergoing its own metamorphosis. The grand, complex tapestries of polyphony, which had dominated the Renaissance, began to give way to the expressive clarity and emotional directness of the solo melody. At the forefront of this musical evolution was Claudio Monteverdi, whose works capture the essence of human emotion with unprecedented directness,

Monteverdiana is a music program that illustrates the profound changes that stirred the music world around 1600. We bring a selection of some of Claudio Monteverdi´s finest solos and duets, extracted from publications like his "Settimo libro de madrigali" (Ohimè dov´è il mio ben or Chiome d´oro), the "Scherzi musicali" (Et è pur dunque vero) or his "Selva morale" (Ut queant laxis) We combine them with works by some of his illustreous disciples, like Alessandro Grandi (O quam tu pulchra es) and Heinrich Schütz. (Es steh Gott auf or Exultavit cor meum)

Enrique López-Cortón, harpsichord & artistic director

Alison Lau, soprano

Originally from Hong Kong, Alison graduated with a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston and a bachelor's degree from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. In October 2021, Alison moved to Amsterdam to study under Xenia Meijer. She has performed with ensembles such as Al Ayre Español, the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, the Nederlandse Bachvereniging, Il Gardellino, and the Nederlands Kamerkoor. Alison is a founding member of the baroque ensembles Pont Baroque and Song is Being.

www.alisonlau.com

Javier Lupiáñez, violin

Javier Lupiáñez (Melilla, Spain) studied at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (The Netherlands) under Enrico Gatti. In 2001, he won the Internationaal Van Wassenaer Concours. He has performed all over the world with conductors such as Frans Brüggen and Sigiswald Kuijken and has recorded numerous CDs.

Also a musicologist, his investigations have led to the identification of works by Westhoff, Leclair, Lonati, Corelli, Pisendel, and Vivaldi. Javier plays a violin made in 1683, attributed to Cornelis Kleynman, on loan from The Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation. www.javierlupianez.com

Yerin Mira, soprano

Yerin Mira (Winterthur, Switzerland) is currently studying at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the class of Xenia Meijer (Early Music). After earning her Bachelor’s degree cum laude at the Zurich University of the Arts, she completed her first master's degree (performance) at the Haute École de Musique in Lausanne with Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet. Yerin performs regularly as a song, concert and ensemble singer. She has appeared as a soloist with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, in Lied recitals with Oliver Schnyder and in the Midi Musical of the Musikkollegium Winterthur. www.yerinmira.com

David Mackor, theorbe

David Mackor (Amsterdam, 1989) obtained his Master in Early Music at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where he studied lute and other historical plucked instruments under Fred Jacobs and René Genis. In 2016, he formed Duo Serenissima with award-winning Canadian soprano Elisabeth Hetherington, performing together all around Europe. He has been a guest several times at the Utrecht Early Music Festival, on Radio 4, and on TV programs like "Podium Witteman." As a composer, David is also passionate about creating new music. www.davidmackor.com  

Belén Sancho, violin

Belén Sancho (Madrid, Spain) began playing the violin at the age of 4. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Historical Violin with Hiro Kurosaki, receiving the Extraordinary Award and cum laude in Chamber Music. At the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, she completed her Master with Kati Debretzeni and Enrico Gatti. In 2020, she wins the First Award for Innovation with the ensemble Hippocampus for the Project “POR BACH” (fusion of early music, jazz and flamenco). Belén plays with some of the leading Early Music ensembles in Europe, having participated in the recording of several CDs.

Cassandra Luckhardt, viola da gamba

Since winning the Prize for the Most Promising Individual Musician at the International Van Wassenaer Competition, Cassandra has built an international reputation as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician and teacher. She has performed with The Academy of Ancient Music, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Camerata Trajectina, and many others, touring throughout the world. Cassandra studied with Christophe Coin in Paris and with Jaap ter Linden and Wieland Kuijken at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. www.cassandraluckhardt.com

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