Feb. 11 – About 240 years ago, Catherine II of Russia listened to Giovanni Paisiello’s music, who in 1776 received and accepted the invitation of the Empress to join her in St. Petersburg, Russia’s then capital, to become Kapellmeister. Until 1783, the Italian musician remained in the city as court composer, giving life to 12 amusement dedicated to the Russian Empress. So now, on February 18 (at 7pm) the Hermitage Theatre brings the audience back to the atmospheres of the 18th century with a concert of the ensemble of wind instruments from the Teatro San Carlo orchestra of Naples. The event is sponsored by the Italian Cultural Institute of the Russian city. “The musicians of the ensemble – reads the presentation statement of the Institute – want to revive the Italian instrumental tradition from Baroque to Romanticism and to open a new chapter in the great Neapolitan musical tradition”. In addition to the Divertimenti by Paisiello, the public will enjoy other works by Neapolitan composers of the 18th century, discovered by the ensemble in the Venice Library and studied for the Hermitage Theatre performance. The Hermitage Theater is one of the oldest theaters in Russia, built following the design of Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi.
