Fabio Vacchi’s new dramatic work Veronica Franco for soprano, speaker, and orchestra is very much a women’s affair. Center-stage is the story of Veronica Franco, the Venetian courtesan and poetess whose extraordinary beauty was immortalized by Tintoretto. Veronica Franco was a 14th-century woman who courageously asserted her rights and the rights of all women.

The text, written by Paola Ponti, is recited by Giovanna Bozzolo. It alternates with original verses by the Venetian poetess herself which here are sung by the soprano Talia Or. The premiere of Fabio Vacchi’s Veronica Franco on March 7 will be performed by the G. Verdi Symphony Orchestra of Milan. This concert, with conductor Claire Gibault, will inaugurate Vacchi’s residency with the orchestra.

On March 11 another world premiere of Vacchi will take place in Madrid. 3 post per Scarlatti for piano will be performed by Andrea Bacchetti at the Italian Cultural Institute, which commissioned the work. 3 post per Scarlatti takes as its basis compositional figures and modes typical of the style of Scarlatti. These influences are integrated into a contemporary perspective conceived for the performance qualities of Bacchetti.