Il Pomo D'Oro: Stradelli's San Giovanni Battista

The characters of Stradella’s San Giovanni Battista come to life through an emotionally direct libretto (in Italian instead of the customary Latin) and vividly expressive music.

St John goes to the court of King Herod to criticise Herod’s marriage to his brother’s widow. Herod imprisons him, and his wife persuades her daughter, Salome, to request St John’s execution. The drama builds over 40 arias, recitatives, duets and choruses which demand the very best from singers.

Composer Stradella’s short life was packed with darkly sensational escapades until his assassination by a hired killer. His oratorio ends on a note of moral uncertainty that is deeply human.

Critically acclaimed for his recordings of early music, the young countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński is resoundingly popular with audiences.








Presented by the Barbican.

Part of International and Guest Ensembles.

Barbican Classical Music Programme receives major support from Marcus Margulies and additional support In Memory of John Murray.





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