IN the pastoral beauty of an Italian countryside, shepherds play shawms and bagpipes to celebrate the Christmas season whilst snow falls gently around their campfires... Baroque ensemble Spiritato who are at Turner Sims, Southampton on Tuesday night, evoke this rich imagery with a dazzling selection of Concerti Grossi by Corelli, Torelli and Locatelli. Often composed for Christmas Eve, these works chart the beginning of the concerto grosso genre, combining virtuosic solos with characterful dances. Violinist Kinga Ujszaszi conjures a frosty landscape with Vivaldi’s Winter from The Four Seasons, and soprano Augusta Hebbert joins the ensemble for two of Alessandro Scarlatti’s most celebratory Cantatas; singing of the excitement and astonishment of the shepherds and the hope that comes with the thawing of the ice and the return of Spring.

The performance starts at 8pm

Also head to Turner Sims for a perfect festive night out on Thursday (December 21)with the return of exceptional US pianist Darius Brubeck and his band. Celebrating a decade together this year, the Quartet recently thrilled audiences at sold-out concerts at the Cheltenham, Cork, Swansea and Glasgow Jazz Festivals, as well as local venues throughout the UK and overseas. The quartet will present music from new release Years Ago, alongside seasonal tunes and popular Brubeck favourites.

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