from Venice to Constantinople

This concert program by the Pera Ensemble unites the musical traditions of Venice and Constantinople, shedding light on the close connections between the Venetian sphere and the Ottoman Empire. It explores the soundscapes of the 17th century and the artistic interactions between East and West.

The soprano Francesca Lombardi Mazzulli and tenor Safa Korkmaz add an extra dimension to the program with their remarkable vocal expressiveness. Together with the musicians of the ensemble, led by oud player and musicologist Mehmet C. Yeşilçay, they create a captivating amalgam of sounds that effortlessly transcends historical and cultural boundaries.

The program features works by Claudio Monteverdi, Barbara Strozzi, and other composers who explored oriental themes and stylistic elements from a Western perspective. At the same time, the ensemble delves into the music of Constantinople, highlighting artists such as Dervish Frenk Mustafa and Ali Ufki. The latter, a Polish convert, is celebrated as an exceptional bridge-builder between Eastern and Western musical cultures.

The Pera Ensemble brings together specialists in historically informed performance practice with leading interpreters of Turkish classical music. Named after the historic Istanbul district of Pera, a cultural melting pot, the ensemble aims to foster a dialogue between musical worlds.

An evening that makes the rich musical history of two cultural centers vividly audible.