Tbilisi Baroque Festival 2018 to Host Italian Ensemble ‘ZEFIRO’
In Greek mythology, Zephyr (Zefiro in Italian) was the tender and kind God of the Western Wind. In 1989, the Italian oboist Alfredo Bernardini, together with Paolo and Albero Grazzi, founded the Ensemble ZEFIRO, which specialized in 18th century oboes and a wind repertoire. Since then, ZEFIRO has participated in numerous famous European festivals in Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Milan, Munich, Paris, Potsdam, Prague, Salzburg, Utrecht, Vienna and more. They have also performed in Israel, Egypt, Japan, Korea, the USA, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil. The ensemble consistently receives positive reviews from both the public and the press.
ZEFIRO’s recordings include six sonatas for two oboes and the bassoon of Jan Dismas Zelenka, the full repertoire of Mozart for winds, fragments from the three operas of Mozart, their interpretation of 12 winds and contrabass (Lirettos, Lorenzo da Ponte); the Concerti per vari strumenti of Vivaldi, concerts for oboe, bassoon and strings. The latest recording of the ensemble received international awards, among them the Grand Prix du Disque and the ‘Premio Nazionale Classic Voice’. ZEFIRO is acknowledged worldwide as a virtuoso performer of the baroque period wind repertoire. ZEFIRO’s activity is divided into three formations: chamber ensemble, wind group (“Harmonie”) and baroque orchestra, which covers a vast part of the baroque repertoire from Vivaldi Concertos to Handel Operas, from Bach Cantatas and Haydn Masses to wind music by Mozart, Rossini and Beethoven.
On November 22, the ZEFIRO musicians presented a concert named ‘An Evening in Harmony in Vienna’ and perform the compositions of F. Krommer, W.A. Mozart and L. van Beethoven.
The concert took place on the Small Stage of the Rustaveli Theater, prior to which an introductory lecture was offered by David Gigineishvili in the foyer, where spectators received information about the music that was to be performed during the concert.
By Keti Kvaratskhelia