Lingotto Musica and La Venaria Reale present Natale in musica

From December 27th to 30th, four afternoon concerts in the stunning Sala di Diana at the Reggia di Venaria

Four afternoon concerts in the magnificent setting of the Diana Hall at the Reggia di Venaria to experience the magic of the holiday season through Baroque melodies, Romantic pieces, gems from the fin de siècle repertoire, and the rhythms of 20th-century America. Natale in musica returns, the chamber music series organized in collaboration with the Consortium of Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, which from December 27th to 30th enriches the program of exhibitions and cultural activities at the Venaria Reale. The protagonists are young soloists and emerging ensembles under 35 with proven talent, such as the violin-cello duo composed of Esther Zaglia and Ada Guarneri, the pianist Antonia De Pasquale, the piano trio formed by Federica Severini, Anzhe Zuo, and Pier Carmine Garzillo, and the mezzo-soprano Laura Capretti accompanied by the pianist Edoardo Momo.

The violin-cello duo Esther Zaglia and Ada Guarneri

The season opens on Friday, December 27th at 4 PM with the all-female string duo formed by violinist Esther Zaglia and cellist Ada Guarneri, who explore the alchemy of the duo between the two instruments, alternating pages selected from the Suite for cello No. 4 in E flat major BWV 1010, the Sonata for violin No. 2 in A minor BWV 1003, and the 15 Inventions for 2 voices BWV 772-786 by Johann Sebastian Bach, up to the Sonata for violin and continuo in G major HWV 358 by Georg Friedrich Händel. Both graduates of the Turin Conservatory and having perfected their skills at the Royal College of Music in London, Zaglia and Guarneri have already performed in numerous recitals in the United Kingdom and have crossed paths in various ensembles. The concert is organized in collaboration with De Sono Associazione per la Musica, which has awarded a scholarship to Esther Zaglia from 2019 to 2021.

Pianist Antonia De Pasquale in recital

On Saturday, December 28th at 6 PM, we will be hosting a piano recital by Antonia De Pasquale, a promising international concert pianist and winner of over 35 competitions (including the Gold Prize at VIMA 2024 and the Piano City Milan Award 2023). She will perform two masterpieces at the boundaries of the Classical period: Haydn’s Sonata in E-flat major Hob.XVI:52 and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 4 in E-flat major, Op. 7. The concert is organized in collaboration with the Fondazione Accademia di Musica, where De Pasquale is currently attending advanced performance courses under the guidance of Roberto Plano and Mariangela Vacatello.

Pianist Antonia De Pasquale in recital

The Severini-Zuo-Garzillo Piano Trio

On Sunday, December 29th at 6 PM, we will embark on a journey through the nostalgic colors of Romantic Central Europe with Tristia (La Vallée d’Obermann) S. 378c by Franz Liszt and Piano Trio No. 2 in G minor, Op. 26 by Antonín Dvořák. The performance will feature the sweet tones of violinist Federica Severini, the expressive power of cellist Anzhe Zuo, and the intensity of pianist Pier Carmine Garzillo. All three musicians, either current students (Zuo and Garzillo) or alumni (Severini) of the Fondazione Accademia di Musica, have already garnered numerous awards and collaborated with prestigious Italian and international festivals and orchestras.

Mezzo-soprano Laura Capretti with pianist Edoardo Momo

Mezzo-soprano Laura Capretti, accompanied by pianist Edoardo Momo, will conclude the series on Monday, December 30th at 4 PM with a selection of Lieder, opera arias, and songs by some of the most renowned composers of the 20th century, both European (from Gabriel Fauré to Alban Berg) and American (from George Gershwin to Leonard Bernstein). The performance will feature mezzo-soprano Laura Capretti, a former De Sono scholarship holder, and pianist Edoardo Momo. Both artists are active members of various chamber ensembles and have been part of the quintet Le Fil Rouge since 2021.