a highlight of Vivaldi's vocal oeuvre
La Senna Festeggianti (‘The celebrating Seine’) is one of the highlights of Vivaldi’s vocal oeuvre. The actual occasion for writing this serenata – a genre that wavers between cantata and opera – is shrouded in mystery. Although it was probably first performed in Italy, it is unmistakably an ode to the French king Louis XV. His coronation is celebrated by three allegorical figures: the Golden Age, Virtue and the Seine. In a varied sequence of recitatives, arias and ensembles, they praise Louis’ talents and feats of arms. Vivaldi surrounds the three soloists with an exuberant orchestra of strings and wind instruments, and lards his score with French fioriture. For this explosion of brilliant Venetian colour alla francese, B’Rock joins forces with three spuperb singers: soprano Karina Gauvin, contralto Sonia Prina and bass Ugo Guagliardo.