The highly regarded period-instrument ensemble Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra has a new music director. Elisa Citterio has stepped into the position formerly held by Jeanne Lamon since 1981.
Citterio, a violinist, has been concertmaster of the Accademia della Scala since 2000 and a member of La Scala, Milan, orchestra since 2004, where she has worked with conductors Daniele Gatti and Riccardo Muti. She officially became Tafelmusik's new leader in July.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Tafelmusik was founded in 1979. They are one of the leading ensembles of their kind, specializing in music of the Baroque era. If you're a regular Classical 101 listener, you've heard many of their fine recorded performances over the years.
Their lively and very enjoyable concert performances are also regularly well reviewed. Sample for yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN820UnMrEY
Under the direction of principal guest conductor Bruno Weil, Tafelmusik has recorded and performed a number of symphonies by Franz Joseph Haydn, taking their authentic performance approach into the Classical era of the later-18th century:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8jeudKYaRU
Citterio will undoubtedly continue the tradition of outstanding period-instrument performances established under her predecessor, Lamon, and will add her own musical vision to the mix as well. Since they are both violinists, I would imagine the transition for the other musicians in the group will be made easier, in that they're used to following a violin bow. I'd think it would be smoother than suddenly having to watch, say, a bassoon lead the orchestra!
Tafelmusik's gala season-opening concert with new music director Citterio takes place Sept. 21 in Toronto, and will feature music of George Frideric Handel, Arcangelo Corelli, Jean-Philippe Rameau and Antonio Vivaldi, including Summer from The Four Seasons with Citterio as the soloist.
Here's Spring with Lamon as soloist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNBeW_2kGEA
