MILLE AFFETTI
SCHEDULE
1 June 2025
18:00
Ehrbar Saal
Mille Affetti
Bruno de Sá
Jarosław Thiel, Wrocław Baroque Orchestra
ABOUT MILLE AFFETI
“Mille Affetti” is a captivating programme celebrating Mozart and his contemporaries, performed on period instruments to honor the authentic soundscapes of the classical era. At its heart is Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate, a masterful motet initially written for a soprano castrato, showcasing dazzling virtuosity and profound beauty. Other highlights include works by Cherubini, Kraus, Alessandri, Caruso, and Beck, revealing the rich diversity and elegance of the Classical repertoire.
At the center of this remarkable program is Warner Classics exclusive artist Bruno de Sá, hailed as one of the finest sopranist of our time. Bruno brings unparalleled artistry and emotional depth to this repertoire exploring the profound emotional range of the classical period. Accompanying him is the Wroclaw Baroque Orchestra, renowned for their precision and passion. Under the direction of Jaroslaw Thiel, they bring authenticity and brilliance to every performance, creating a vibrant and immersive experience that pays homage to this golden age of music.
This concert marks a milestone in Bruno de Sá’s career as his first-ever solo recital in Austria, following celebrated appearances in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, and Innsbruck as part of larger ensembles. Now taking center stage, Bruno brings his unmatched artistry to this landmark performance.
Most recently, he earned widespread acclaim performing alongside Cecilia Bartoli at the Vienna Staatsoper Gala, further cementing his status as one of the finest sopranists of our time. Additionally, he was awarded the prestigious Austrian Music Theatre Prize for Best Male Supporting Role for his portrayal of Aminta in Vivaldi’s L’Olimpiade at the Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik.
This exclusive concert marks the beginning of Musica Imperiale, a series dedicated to reviving Vienna’s imperial heritage through exceptional music. Don’t miss the chance to experience the splendor of Mille Affetti in one of Vienna’s most iconic venues.
Tickets are now available! Secure your place in this unforgettable evening of music and history.
Ehrbar Saal
Nestled in the heart of Vienna, the historic Ehrbar Saal is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Built in the 19th century, this venue embodies Vienna’s rich musical tradition. Known for its exceptional acoustics and intimate ambiance, the Ehrbar Saal has hosted some of the most renowned musicians of its time, including Johannes Brahms and Gustav Mahler.
Originally conceived as a performance hall for Ehrbar’s pianos, the venue quickly became a cultural hub for Vienna’s thriving musical scene during the late Romantic period. Its elegant architecture and unique sound make it a cherished space for artists and audiences alike. Today, the Ehrbar Saal continues to serve as a bridge between Vienna’s historical legacy and its vibrant cultural present, offering an unparalleled setting for exceptional performances.
ArtistS
Bruno de Sá
sopranist
“Bruno de Sá… astounding… a true male soprano with thrillingly ringing tones and exquisite cantabile.” – Opéra Magazine
In 2019 Bruno de Sá made his European debuts impressing the greater number with his interpretation of Aci in Bononcini’s Polifemo under the musical direction of Dorothee Oberlinger (Musikfestspiele Potsdam Sanssouci and Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth). During the season of 2019/20, Bruno de Sá joined the young artist programme at Theater Basel where he sung Die Kleine Meerjungfrau in Jherek Bischoff’s Andersens Erzählungen conducted by Thomas Wise (world première), and Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro conducted by Christian Curnyn. He sung Sesto in Handel’s Giulio Cesare directed by Peter Konwitschny (Oper Halle), as well as Isacio in Hasse’s Irene with the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra (Musiikkitalo Helsinki and Theater an der Wien).
Over the following seasons, he returned to Bayreuth to sing Berardo in Porpora’s Carlo il Calvostaged by Max Emanuel Cenčic (Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival). Later, he took on the role of Abel in Scarlatti’s Il Primo Omicidio conducted by Philippe Jaroussky (Opéra de Montpellier and Whitsun Festival in Salzbourg), as well as Volusio in Hasse’s Cajo Fabricio with {oh!} Orkiestra (Gliwice and Vienna). At the end of the season, he sang Nerone in Handel’s Agrippina staged by Staffan Waldemar Holm and conducted by Francesco Corti (Drottningholm). He also sung Cleopatra in Hasse’s Marc’Antonio e Cleopatra with {oh!} Orkiestra conducted by Martyna Pastuszka (Katowice, Dortmund), as well as Farnaspe in Graun’s Adriano in Siria under the direction of Dorothee Oberlinger, a production to be presented at the Schloßtheater Sanssouci in Potsdam.
Jarosław Thiel
music direction and cello
Jarosław Thiel is a distinguished Polish cellist and conductor, renowned for his expertise in historical performance practices. He pursued cello studies at the music academies in Poznań and Łódź, further honing his skills with postgraduate work at the Universität der Künste in Berlin under the tutelage of Phoebe Carrai and Markus Möllenbeck.
Since 2006, Thiel has served as the Artistic Director of the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra, a resident ensemble of the National Forum of Music (NFM) in Wrocław. His leadership has guided the orchestra through numerous acclaimed performances and recordings. In addition to his directorial role, he has collaborated with esteemed ensembles such as the Dresdner Barockorchester, FestspielOrchester Göttingen, Cantus Cölln, and the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin.
Thiel’s discography includes notable recordings like “Kings in the North” with baritone Tomáš Král and a premiere recording of Johann David Heinichen’s “Dresden Vespers” with Ensemble Polyharmonique. These works have garnered international recognition, including nominations for the International Classical Music Awards.
Beyond his performance career, Thiel is a dedicated educator, holding a professorship at the Academy of Music in Poznań, where he leads the historical cello class. He also imparts his knowledge through masterclasses, notably at the Varmia Musica festival in Lidzbark Warmiński.
With unwavering dedication to historically informed performance, Jarosław Thiel plays a decisive role in shaping the early music scene.
Wrocław Baroque Orchestra
Founded in 2006 by Andrzej Kosendiak, the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra (WBO) is a distinguished ensemble specializing in historically informed performances on period instruments.
As a resident ensemble of the Witold Lutosławski National Forum of Music (NFM) in Wrocław, Poland, WBO’s repertoire spans from early Baroque to Romanticism, encompassing both chamber works and large-scale oratorios. Under the artistic direction of acclaimed cellist Jarosław Thiel since its inception, the orchestra has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Philippe Herreweghe, Giovanni Antonini, and Paul McCreesh. WBO has also partnered with esteemed ensembles and soloists, including Collegium Vocale Gent, RIAS Kammerchor, and Vivica Genaux.
Their discography features award-winning recordings, notably their debut album, which received the Fryderyk Award for Phonographic Debut of the Year, and their rendition of Haydn’s “The Seasons,” nominated for a Gramophone Award and recognized as BBC Music Magazine’s Recording of the Month in June 2017.
With precision, passion, and historical authenticity, the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra brings the heritage of early music into the present.
