"This mix of performance and documentary tells the story of La Pieta, a Venetian children's home that enjoyed a remarkable relationship with Vivaldi. He wrote buckets of music for the home's all-female orchestra and choir, turning their performances into 18th century Venice's hottest gig. Now, a group of British women visit La Pieta to try to re-create that magic. As they do, there's a thrilling sense of lost cultural history being rediscovered. The programme's slightly odd format (the young musicians themselves take turns at reading links to camera) only adds to its charm."

Quote from Radio Times

BBC 4 at 7.00 pm Saturday 25 March

This is followed by a performance of Vivaldi's Gloria at 8.00 pm

Thanks for alerting us to this, Suepea. I didn't see it all but what I did see was fascinating. And what about that female BASS....?????

And I discovered that I can still sing the alto part of Vivaldi's Gloria from memory!

That female bass was incredible.

*Jane goes off to practise the low "E"*

I found the programme and the research into La Pieta and its residents absolutely fascinating - I certainly hadn't realised the degree of professionalism that the orphanage performers had. What a fantastic teacher Vivaldi must have been. As for the modern performers, they too were incredible - I know some ladies sing tenor, but I hadn't realised there was such a thing as a female bass. The instrumentalists had such marvellous grace combined with energy. Oh, to play my celo like that! I love Vivaldi's Gloria - it has such a happy and uplifting feel . I was singing along too, Cyrilla, well - the music, anyway (and definitely not to solfa ). I'd love to sing it "for real". The cat wasn't too happy - she doesn't like being bounced about, but she stayed put on my lap.

A female bass? Woah!

I did the Gloria at college, it was brilliant fun! We all loved it. I remember walking round college in the hols with a friend singing "Domine fili" (spelt wrongly probably!) at the top of our voices and getting very odd looks from people staying there for conferences!

Er - I wasn't singing it in solfa, Suepea!!!! (for once )

Yes, it IS the most uplifting of pieces, isn't it? I can just visualise your cat being bounced around on your lap!

I thought the playing in the programme was just lovely, too *bliss*

Oh - I just thought - see you the weekend after next, Suepea!!!

I'm looking forward to it, Cyrilla. I shall have just returned from a break up north - SRP Festival, then a few days in the Lakes, so will be all fresh and raring to go, I hope!

Great!

Have a lovely time in the Lakes and at the SRP festival - and I'm looking forward to meeting you. Hope you'll be totally geared up for two days of solfa-speak!!