Viva Italia!

Italy's famous baroque string ensemble, I Musici, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its foundation and debut at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC’s) Concert Hall, for one night only, on Thursday 23 February.

From the ensemble’s first performance in 1952, I Musici broke all the rules, playing baroque concerti with a tight-knit ensemble of just twelve players and no conductor.

Its exemplary style, celebrated energy, discipline and spontaneity was noted by the great Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini who, after hearing I Musici perform labelled the group “twelve individual instrumental masters, and together the finest chamber orchestra in the world”.

I Musici was the first chamber group to record Vivaldi's Four Seasons, introducing Italian18th Century music to the world. The recording sold more than 25 million copies to become one of the most famous compositions in classical music.

Since this historic first recording, I Musici’s disc production has won numerous awards including: the Grand Prix de l’Academie Charles Cros, Grand Prix International du Disque, the Edison Award, Deutsche Schallplattenpreis and the Grand Prix des Discophiles, with their production of the Four Seasons by Vivaldi winning the Platinum Disc with inset diamond.

Many important compositions have been dedicated to the ensemble by composers such as Nino Rota, Valentino Bucchi, Louis Bacalov and Ennio Morricone.

With critically acclaimed performances at Carnegie Hall, the Musikverein in Vienna and the Philharmonie in Berlin, QPAC is thrilled to welcome I Musici to the Concert Hall stage as they pay homage to their musical heritage performing works by Italian masters Rossini, Donizetti and Paganini.

The evening will culminate with a performance of I Musici’s historic and superlative interpretation of Vivaldi's magnificent Four Seasons; unmatched for its vigour, dynamism, sensitivity and sheer energy.

Don’t miss your chance to see Italy’s oldest continuously active chamber ensemble, live on stage for one night only. Help us celebrate with I Musici 60 years of vibrant and virtuosic music-making.