Unicaja Foundation organizes concerts around the exhibition of the artistic treasures of the House of Alba

The Unicaja Foundation organizes a program of parallel activities on the occasion of the exhibition 'Patronage and Collecting in the House of Alba' which will start with ... concerts by Concerto 1700. The performances will take place on September 12 and November 15 at the Unicaja Cultural Center in Málaga at 7:30 PM with free admission until full capacity is reached.

This initiative aims to highlight the musical patronage of the House of Alba during the 18th century as a clear example of the importance of this system of artist protection in the development of many musicians' careers throughout Europe. Thus, attendees will be able to enjoy works composed by Gaetano Brunetti for some of the family members or listen to the chamber music that was heard in Madrid during the time of the XII Duke of Alba.

Under the title 'Fatto per il Duque. Music for the House of Alba', the first concert will take place on Tuesday, September 12, and will address the musical relationship that existed between the composer Gaetano Brunetti and two music-loving dukes like the XII Duke of Alba, Fernando de Silva y Álvarez de Toledo (1714-1776) and the husband of the XIII Duchess, José Álvarez de Toledo Osorio (1756-1796). Brunetti composed dozens of works for them, including divertimenti in the form of duos, trios, and quartets composed for the enjoyment of enlightened dukes who liked to surround themselves with musicians, painters, and poets at the Buenavista Palace.

Continuation in November

The programming will continue on November 15 with the concert 'With the permission of Fernando. Chamber Music in Madrid during the time of the XII Duke of Alba' which will explore the beginnings of the string quartet in Madrid during the time of Fernando de Silva y Álvarez de Toledo. The program includes works composed for the Duke's enjoyment, a recognized amateur performer of violin and viola, as well as commissions from other musical patrons present in Enlightenment Madrid such as Infante Don Luis or Prince Charles, the future Charles IV. Pieces by authors such as Pietro Nardini, and his String Quartet No. 2 in C Major; the complete series of six string quartets dedicated to the Duke of Alba composed by Gaetano Brunetti, or the quartets number 1 and 6 from the collection of quartets opus 22 by Luigi Boccherini will be performed.

Concerto 1700

Founded in 2015 by the violinist from Malaga, Daniel Pinteño, Concerto 1700 promotes the recovery and dissemination of the Spanish musical heritage of the 17th and 18th centuries. It uses original period instruments, as well as a rigorous musicological study of the interpretative practices of the time. For these concerts, it will be accompanied by some of the usual musicians of the group such as Fumiko Morie (violin), Isabel Juárez (viola) and Ester Domingo (cello). It has established itself as one of the most relevant groups in the Spanish historicist scene, performing in some of the most prestigious festivals and venues, such as the Baroque Universe of the CNDM at the National Auditorium of Spain, the International Festival of Music and Dance of Granada, the International Festival of Santander, and the Musical Fortnight of San Sebastián.