Ensemble Contraste

Mozart composed some of the most beautiful portraits of heroines in the entire history of opera. Dorabella, torn between desire and reason; Donna Elvira, wounded but still passionate; Sesto, faithful to the point of sacrifice; and Cherubino, the androgynous teenager dazzled by the mysteries of femininity...
Through them, Mozart offers us a unique blend of tenderness, humour and emotion, where each aria becomes a little theatre scene in its own right.

In an intimate atmosphere, carried by voice, viola and piano – joined in a larger version by clarinet – these famous and lesser-known pieces are revealed in a new light. Here, the music becomes intimate, as if Mozart were speaking to us in a low voice, close to our hearts. 

Program 1 (3-artists ensemble)

Cast: 
Karine Deshayes, mezzo-soprano
Arnaud Thorette, viola
Johan Farjot, piano

Sesto (La clemenza di Tito): “Parto, parto, ma tu ben mio” (arr. alto)
Sonata in E minor, K. 304 (arr. alto & piano)
Rondo in C major, K. 373 (arr. alto & piano)
- Das Veilchen K475
- Als Luise die Briefe K520
- Abendempindung K523
- An Chloë K524
- Alma grande, nobil core K578
- Vado, ma dove? K583
- Contessa ‘Porgi amor’ (Le Nozze di Figaro)
- Susanna ‘Giunse alfin il momento... Deh vieni non tardar’ (Le Nozze di Figaro)
- Donna Elvira ‘In quali eccessi, o numi... Mi tradi quell'alma ingrata’ (Don Giovanni)
- Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro): ‘Non so più’

Encore: Cherubino ‘Voi che sapete’

Program 2 (4-artists ensemble)

Cast: 
Karine Deshayes, mezzo-soprano
Arnaud Thorette, viola
Johan Farjot, piano
Pierre Génisson, clarinet

Sesto (La clemenza di Tito): “Parto, parto, ma tu ben mio” (with clarinet obbligato)
Trio in E flat major, K. 498, nicknamed “Kegelstatt” (the “skittles”)
Rondo in C major K373 (arr. viola & piano)
- Das Veilchen K475
- Als Luise die Briefe K520
- Abendempindung K523
- An Chloë K524
- Alma grande, nobil core K578
- Vado, ma dove? K583
- Contessa ‘Porgi amor’ (Le Nozze di Figaro)
- Susanna ‘Giunse alfin il momento... Deh vieni non tardar’ (Le Nozze di Figaro)
- Donna Elvira ‘In quali eccessi, o numi... Mi tradi quell'alma ingrata’ (Don Giovanni)
- Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro): ‘Non so più’

Encore: Cherubino ‘Voi che sapete’