Ep 1. Now Hear This "Vivaldi: Something Completely Different"

Now Hear This "Vivaldi: Something Completely Different" is the first episode of the 47th season of Great Performances, a music and performing arts television series that has aired on PBS for over four decades. This episode follows Scott Yoo, an accomplished violinist and conductor, on a journey to uncover the lesser-known works of the prolific composer Antonio Vivaldi.

Yoo's mission is to challenge the popular perception of Vivaldi as a one-hit wonder, known primarily for his ubiquitous masterpiece "The Four Seasons." In "Vivaldi: Something Completely Different," Yoo aims to showcase the depth and diversity of Vivaldi's musical output, from his innovative operas to his experimental concertos.

Throughout the episode, Yoo travels to various historic locations in Italy, where Vivaldi spent much of his life and composed many of his works. He visits the Ospedale della Pietà, a Venetian orphanage where Vivaldi served as the music director and composed many of his legendary works, including "The Four Seasons." Yoo also explores the island of Murano, where Vivaldi's experimental concertos for diverse instrumentations were first performed.

To complement his journey, Yoo performs select pieces from Vivaldi's oeuvre with a diverse range of musicians, including soprano Sherezade Panthaki and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. Together, they interpret Vivaldi's music with fresh, contemporary energy, allowing audiences to hear his works in a new light.

In addition to showcasing Vivaldi's lesser-known works, "Vivaldi: Something Completely Different" also delves into the composer's personal life and the tumultuous historical context in which he lived. Yoo examines Vivaldi's fraught relationship with the Catholic Church, which often censored his librettos and prohibited his operas from being performed. He also explores the fascinating backstory behind Vivaldi's most famous work, "The Four Seasons," and the musical innovations that the composer pioneered in his concertos.

Overall, "Vivaldi: Something Completely Different" is a captivating exploration of the life and legacy of one of classical music's most iconic figures. Through Scott Yoo's insightful commentary and dynamic performances, viewers are invited to rediscover the breadth and depth of Vivaldi's musical genius.