Orlando Furioso, the legendary hero of the epic poem of the same name by Ludovico Ariosto, is one of the cornerstone works of the Renaissance chivalric tradition. Orlando, paladin of Charlemagne, embodies the heroic ideal taken to its limits: brave and passionate, yet deeply vulnerable, to the point of losing his reason for love.

This tension between heroism and fragility captivated Baroque composers, drawn to the dramatic and expressive potential of a character both profoundly human and extraordinary. Figures such as Handel, Vivaldi, Porpora, Steffani and Fux not only drew inspiration from this myth, but showed an almost obsessive fascination with Orlando, making him the protagonist of operas and arias of extreme virtuosity, conceived for the brilliance of the great voices of their time.

The concert programme combines well-known gems of the Baroque repertoire with rarer works by composers still awaiting rediscovery today, performed by countertenor Xavier Sabata, one of the most charismatic voices on the current scene. With a strong dramatic instinct, Sabata imbues Baroque repertoire with striking theatrical intensity, combining vocal refinement, expressive depth and a commanding stage presence, accompanied by the ensemble Le Concert de l’Hostel Dieu.

The concert thus becomes a fascinating journey into the world of Baroque bel canto, where the myth of Orlando remains alive, intense and deeply moving.