Why Phantasticus might surprise you
This is a genuinely unusual concert, focusing on a very short but explosive moment in the evolution of Italian music—roughly the early to mid-17th century (c.1600–1650), when the stile fantastico was emerging.
It was a time of extraordinary experimentation, shaped in large part by the birth of opera. Composers were beginning to think in new ways about emotion: how instruments might imitate the human voice, how music could tell stories, and how emotion could be conveyed with immediacy and intensity. It has been described as like singing and playing at the same time.
You’ll hear violins in a strikingly vocal role—by turns lyrical, expressive, and virtuosic. The pieces themselves often feel like miniature dramas: full of contrast, character and shifting moods, but compressed into just a few minutes.
The result is music that feels fresh, inventive and surprisingly direct. Even if the composers are unfamiliar - they are not common names at all, this is a programme that’s easy to connect with—and a joy to see live!
Hear it live this Saturday - Book tickets here
Experience this extraordinary music live at St Ann’s Church this Saturday evening.
Phantasticus
Saturday 25 April 2026
7.30pm
St Ann’s Church, Manchester
We are delighted to acknowledge the generous support of the Continuo Foundation in helping bring this programme to audiences.
