Antonio Vivaldi’s Juditha triumphans is a radiant masterpiece of Baroque vocal music: a rare gem that combines drama, virtuosity, and poetic beauty into an irresistible whole. Under the baton of Aapo Häkkinen, the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra brings this Venetian oratorio to life in a concert that celebrates the splendor of the Baroque and Vivaldi’s inexhaustible imagination.

Juditha triumphans is Vivaldi’s only surviving oratorio and represents the pinnacle of the composer’s vocal output. The arias are full of sparkling coloratura passages and astonishingly beautiful melodies that allow the singers’ skill and expressiveness to shine. Vivaldi’s instrumentation is exceptionally rich and inventive: the orchestra includes mandolins, viola d’amore, and a gamba ensemble, which create a unique, colorful sound world for the work.

The music of the oratorio glows with both heroic power and sensitivity. Dramatic twists, meditative moments, and brilliant climaxes alternate in a tense atmosphere, keeping the listener captivated from beginning to end. The soloists, Julia Lezhneva, Marianne Beate Kielland, Sonja Runje, Erika Baikoff, and Arnaud Gluck, bring the story to life and add human depth, while the lively sound of the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra supports the whole with bright energy.

This concert offers a rare opportunity to experience Vivaldi at his best: Baroque drama, virtuosity, and the composer’s boundless imagination come together in one sparkling evening. Juditha triumphans is a living, breathing musical experience that charms, moves and lingers in the memory for a long time to come.