Vocal Skyline Rocks the Frari on Epiphany - Venice, Italy

Vocal Skyline rocks the Frari - Photo: Cat Bauer

(Venice, Italy) Vocal Skyline, the Venetian choral group, rocked the Frari on Epiphany, kicking off the New Year with a seismic shift. It was the most astonishing concert I have ever seen in a church on a sacred holiday, with tunes by Michael Jackson, Abba, Queen, Cold Play -- even "Mad World" by Gary Jules -- mixed in with more traditional fare, all somehow fitting profoundly into the theme of the Epiphany, updated for contemporary ears. Thanks to the creative team of  Cristina Pustetto, Marco Toso Borella and Giacomo Franzoso, the sold-out audience was brought to its feet.

It took over a century to build the immense Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, which  was consecrated in 1492 -- back when Christopher Columbus was sailing the ocean blue, just about to discover the New World -- to put things into perspective. The Frari is full of singular masterpieces like Titan's Assumption and the tomb of Canova. The cavernous interior makes for some extraordinary acoustics.

Vocal Skyline - Frari - Photo: Cat Bauer

Vocal Skyline not only sings, they move. The lighting is dramatic. Director Marco Toso Borella is a dynamo -- jumping, clapping, singing, dancing -- conducting the group with one hand in heaven and the other on earth, with Giacomo Franzoso rocking it on the keyboard. The whole production was a refreshing way to celebrate the Epiphany, the day the three Magi visit the Christ child.

Have a listen:



There were plenty of disappointed people outside the door who did not make it inside, so if you are in Venice, check out the Vocal Skyline site to see when they next plan to put on a show. The tickets are free, but to be sure of getting a seat, pick them up at least the day before the performance, if not sooner. 

After Christmas in Venice, there is a short pause before we segue to Carnevale. The show must go on...

Ciao from Venezia,
Cat Bauer
Venetian Cat - The Venice Blog