Baroque Venice in Boston

Venice, built out of the sea, was devoted first to commerce and second to religion. Its musical tradition developed later, and was centered on church music. By the 16th century, Venice was an important center of music, and its best-known composer to modern audiences is Giovanni Gabrielli. On Friday and Sunday, Handel + Haydn brought to Jordan Hall a feast of Venetian Baroque music, featuring works by Gabrielli and composers previously unknown to us, including Dario Castello, Biagio Marini, Giovanni Fontana and Michaelangelo Rossi. The works were clearly historically-correct. In addition to the organ, harpsichord and violins, we heard a trombone, dulcian and theorbo. Leading the ensemble was Richard Egarr, directing from the keyboard as well as playing a harpsichord solo. The instrumentalists took turns coming and going, with one piece featuring violinist Aisslinn Nosky on stage and the other two playing an echo from just off-stage. This was clearly chamber music with the small groupings of instruments, and was better suited to the smaller confines of Jordan Hall. The playing, as one would expect from H+H musicians, was superb, and Mr. Egarr’s obvious enthusiasm for the works and his brief introductory comments added to the enjoyment.