On Thursday, December 10, Jean-Christophe Spinosi and his Ensemble Matheus make their Turin debut celebrating the Italian Baroque. The evening opens with the Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” Op. 6, No. 8, followed by Vivaldi’s Nisi Dominus featuring countertenor Philippe Jaroussky on in his first appearance at Lingotto. Jaroussky’s deep connection to Vivaldi repertoire has been a hallmark of his multi-award-winning career: this performance reunites him with Spinosi and the Ensemble Matheus, following their 2008 recording of this masterpiece. Continuing to explore Vivaldi’s extraordinary genius, the programme brings together the Bassoon Concerto in A minor, RV 498 and the haunting Largo from Winter (RV 297), works in which technical brilliance and lyrical expression blend seamlessly into a rich tapestry of sound. Framing these instrumental masterpieces are dramatic excerpts from L’Olimpiade. To close the evening, Handel’s celebrated arias Cara sposa and Venti, turbini from Rinaldo portray the hero’s emotional journey – from intimate sorrow to triumphant resolve – in music of extraordinary expressive power.