I Turchini Ensemble to Perform Free Holiday Concert at Art Institute of Chicago, 1/4

I Turchini, an acclaimed Italian music ensemble specializing in Neapolitan music, will perform a concert of sacred music by Italian composers of the 17th and 18th centuries Sunday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Art Institute of Chicago's Fullerton Hall, 111 S. Michigan Avenue. Presented by the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, the concert celebrates the Art Institute of Chicago's exhibition of a spectacular 18th-century Neapolitan creche, currently on display through Sunday, Jan. 11.

Conducted by Alessandro Ciccolini, the program includes:

- F.O Manfredini: Sinfonia da Chiesa op II n. 12 "Pastorale per il SS Natale"

- A.Scarlatti: Pastoral Aria "Nacque, col Gran Messia"

- A.Vivaldi: "Laudate Pueri"

- P.Marchitelli: Trio Sonata in G

- A.Scarlatti: Cantata "O di Betlemme Altera"

I Turchini was founded in 1987 by Antonio Florio; until 2010 it was known as "Cappella della Pieta? de Turchini." The ensemble features instrumentalists and singers specializing in Neapolitan music of the 17th and 18th centuries, and in the rediscovery of forgotten composers.

The originality of the ensemble's concert programs, as well as the group's strict adherence to the Baroque performance practice, makes i Turchini one of the most acclaimed ensembles of the Italian and European musical scenes. The group has performed on renowned stages including the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, the Teatro San Carlo, the Palau de la Mu?sica in Barcelona, the Berlin Philharmonics, the Vienna Konzerthaus, the Teatro Lope de Vega in Seville, the Scarlatti Association in Naples, and the "La Monnaie" theater, as well as many of the major music festivals.

The ensemble performed on Radio France, the BBC, as well as for the Belgian, Spanish, German and Austrian radio. They have produced numerous recordings for the Symphonia and the Parisian label Naive Opus 111. Most recently, they recorded two CDs with the label "Glossa": "L'Adoratione de 'Maggi' by Cristofaro Caresana (which won the "Christmas Choice-BBC review") and the "Tenebrae - Music for Easter in Naples."

About the Art Institute of Chicago's Neopolitan Cre?che - The Art Institute's 18th-century Neapolitan cre?che is one of the very few and finest examples of such a work outside of Naples. This intricate Nativity scene reflects the vitality and artisanship of the city for which it is known. With more than 200 figures -- including no less than 50 animals and 41 items of food and drink -- all staged in a spectacular Baroque cabinet with a painted backdrop, the work is elaborate, complex, and wondrous.

About the Italian Cultural Institute - The Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, currently directed by Andrea Raos, is the cultural office of the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago. Founded in 1985, the Institute is one of five cultural agencies of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United States and part of 90 institutes worldwide. The Institute serves as a convenient source for information about Italian life and culture and showcases Italy's classic and contemporary heritage with particular reference to art, music, cinema, design, architecture, science, and technology. For more information about the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago visit iicchicago.esteri.it or call 312-822-9545.

The Institute is also home to ItalCultura a school of Italian language and works alongside the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago to forge relationships with local universities and research institutions. They promote English translations of Italian authors with local publishers and publicize information about Italian prizes in art and literature. They also work with ENIT (The Italian State Tourist Board) to promote tourism and travel to Italy. For more information about classes visit italculturachicago.com or call 312-245-0652.