The French period-instrument ensemble Ensemble Matheus performs music by Handel, Vivaldi and Nicola Antonio Porpora in this wide-ranging program at Zankel Hall.

If the name Porpora doesn't ring a bell, his Concerto for Cello provides the right introduction. Porpora (1686-1768) was a notable teacher, whose students included Franz Joseph Haydn and the castrato Farinelli. The rest of the program includes selections from Handel's opera Serse, Vivaldi's L’Olimpiade (his Olympics opera), plus several lively instrumental works.

The broadcast starts at 8 pm and the chat and Twitter conversation begin here at 7:30 pm.

Ensemble Matheus
Jean-Christophe Spinosi, Director and Violin
Veronica Cangemi, Soprano
Laurence Paugam, Violin
Claire-Lise Démettre, Cello
Jérôme Pernoo, Cello

Program:

• HANDEL Overture to Serse
• HANDEL "Frondi tenere" from Serse
• HANDEL "Ombra mai fù" from Serse
• VIVALDI "Gelosia" from Ottone in Villa
• VIVALDI Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, Cello, Strings, and Continuo from L'estro armonico, Op. 3, No. 11
• VIVALDI "Zeffiretti che sussurate" from Ercole su’l Termodonte
• VIVALDI Concerto in G Minor for Two Cellos, Strings, and Continuo, RV 531
• VIVALDI "Se mai senti" from Catone in Utica
• PORPORA Concerto in G Major for Cello
• VIVALDI "Siam navi all'onde algenti" from L’Olimpiade