Dec. 23 – The Turchini, a Neapolitan baroque music ensemble, celebrate the last week of the Neapolitan 18th century Nativity Scene exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. The concert – organized by the Italian Cultural Institute – will be held at the headquarters of the Art Institute on Sunday, January 4 (2pm). Founded in 1987 by Antonio Florio, known until 2010 as the “Cappella della Pietà de ‘Turchini”, when the name changed to “I Turchini di Antonio Florio”, the ensemble consists of instrumentalists and singers specialized in the execution of Neapolitan music of the 17th and 18th centuries, and in the rediscovery of the rare composers. The originality of the programs and the strict respect of baroque performance practices make I Turchini one of the spearheads of Italian and European musical life. The group was invited to perform on important stages worldwide and has taken part in major music festivals across Europe. I Turchini also received various awards and honors, including the Vivaldi Prize of the Cini Foundation in Venice, the Premio Abbiati of the National Christmas Music Critics Association, and the BBC Choice Award for their album “L’adoratione de ‘Maggi’. (Red)