Body & Soul:

Sat., May 10, 2025 at 6 pm   Trinity Church, Lakeville, CT TICKETS

Sun., May 11, 2025 at 4 pm   Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA TICKETS

Roman composer Emilio Cavalieri wrote and premiered his groundbreaking work Rappresentatione del alma e di corpo  with great success in 1600. The question remains, whether this work is considered an opera or an oratorio (sacred drama)!

The subject, an allegorical drama, is a lively debate over worldly vanities versus a spiritual life. It features six allegorical figures: Anima, the Soul (soprano), Corpo, the Body (baritone), Good Counsel (bass), Intellect (tenor), Time (bass), Pleasure (mezzo-soprano), and a chorus that comments on the action, accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Arias, recitativos, ensemble pieces and dance alternate to create a varied and dramatic and entertaining representation of the plot. This is something that we take for granted now, as we are so used to…