Meet Sweden's Queen Christina, A Baroque Era Influencer, January 23-25

 

Chatham Baroque: Christina, Sweden’s Queen of the Arts Friday, January 23 • 7:30 PM • Hicks Memorial Chapel Saturday, January 24 • 7:30 PM • Hicks Memorial Chapel Sunday, January 25 • 2:30 PM • Levy Hall, Rodef Shalom Rome’s golden age had ended well before Christina of Sweden (1626-1698) arrived in 1654 but the Eternal City still radiated opulence at every turn, and she was welcomed to Pallazo Barberini with a lavish party. She took up residence in the Palazzo Farnese, where she arrived with 225 employees and nearly as many horses. Meanwhile, her Swedish successor was embroiled in another conflict and no longer had funds to send her a sufficient pension. In 1656, Christina launched the Academy of Arcadia, a weekly gathering of poetry and music held every Wednesday for about 70 of her “most intimate friends.” The attendees discussed art and enjoyed concerts performed by her favorite musicians. This provided a more affordable way for her to surround herself with music, since opera—then as now—was an expensive art form, with renowned artists like the sculptor Bernini designing sets and costumes for productions throughout the city. In 17th-century Rome, opera was a private affair. Like other noble and wealthy families, the Barberinis had a tradition of putting on lavish productions, and they spared no expense in welcoming Christina to their city and impressing the Roman nobility. Typically, performances were attended by men one night and women the next. However, since this evening was meant to honor the former queen, the Barberinis felt it would be inappropriate to make her wait for a “ladies only” night. Christina enjoyed Marco Marazzoli’s final opera, La vita humana, ovvero Il trionfo della pietà, from a special box built to conceal her, ensuring that decorum and honor were preserved. Follow through music the remarkable journey of Queen Christina. Experience the wide scope of Christina’s patronage from French works by Lully to compositions by Roman masters she supported, including Alessandro Scarlatti, Giacomo Carissimi, and Arcangelo Corelli. ARTISTS Andrew Fouts violin Patricia Halverson viola da gamba Scott Pauley theorbo & archlute Pascale Beaudin soprano Carmen Johnson Pajaro violin Anna O’Connell Italian triple harp PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Pascale Beaudin, soprano, talks from the gardens of the Pallazo Barberini in Rome Special guest, soprano Pascale Beaudin, tells us about Swedish Queen Christina's arrival in Rome where she was first welcomed in 1656. WATCH THE VIDEO Upcoming 2026 Programs Peanut Butter & Jam: Love is in the Ayre Saturday, February 14• 10 & 11:30 AM • Calvary Episcopal Church   The Lisette Project: Haitian Creole Music Sunday, February 22 • 2:30 PM • Levy Hall, Rodef Shalom Chatham Baroque: Bach’s Sublime Chamber Music Friday, March 27 • 7:30 PM • Teutonia Männerchor Saturday, March 28 • 7:30 PM • Hicks Memorial Chapel Sunday, March 29 • 2:30 PM • Hicks Memorial Chapel Peanut Butter & Jam: Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing Saturday, April 11• 10 AM • National Aviary Tiburtina Ensemble: Celestial Harmony Music for the Heavenly Court by Hildegard of Bingen Sunday, April 26 • 2:30 PM • Calvary Episcopal Church Peanut Butter & Jam: Make Your Own Music Saturday, May 16 • 10 & 11:30 AM • Calvary Episcopal Church The Chatham Baroque 2025/2026 Season is made possible in part by: Anonymous • Allegheny Regional Asset District • Calvary Episcopal Church • Classical WQED-FM 89.3 • Heinz Endowments • Laurel Foundation • Opportunity Fund • Pennsylvania Council on the Arts • The Benter Foundation • VisitPITTSBURGH • and many generous individuals and volunteers Thank you! Questions? info@chathambaroque.org or call 412-687-1788