Serenissima will be an extravaganza of music from and inspired by 17th-century Venice. Known as "La Serenissima," the Queen of the Adriatic was a one of the wealthiest cities in Europe, and people from across the continent flocked to her canals and back-alleys for her famous Carnival season. During this anything-goes time, drinking and debauchery abounded, and opera came to take center stage, putting Venetian republican ideals and social mores on display for all to see. After their misbehavior, revelers could atone for their indiscretions while basking in the splendor of the music of St. Mark's Cathedral, whose staff musicians included luminaries like Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli, and even Claudio Monteverdi himself.

We'll perform a selection of chamber, sacred, and operatic music from La Serenissima, featuring five vocal soloists accompanied by an instrumental ensemble. Music by Monteverdi, Cavalli, Rossi, Biber, and more.

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Never been interested in classical music? Maybe you've been listening to the wrong century! We invite you to come and give us a shot—you might just find there's a little less dust on our music than you think. We're breathing new life into some of the most beautiful music ever written, and we're doing it with a youthful energy and colorful uniqueness that you'd expect from an Austin born-and-bred ensemble.

Learn more about ABO here, or click here to meet our orchestra and chorus.