In Ottoboni’s circle

Appointed a cardinal by his uncle, Pope Alexander VIII, Pietro Ottoboni gained power and status as a young man. Going down in history as the last such cardinal nephew, Ottoboni seems at first glance to be an example of Roman Catholic nepotism. However, he also used his influence to become a passionate patron of the arts, gathering around him the most important composers of the time, such as Arcangelo Corelli, Antonio Vivaldi, Alessandro and Domenico Scarlatti, Antonio Caldara, and, not least, George Frideric Handel. Ottoboni organized opera performances in the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome, wrote libretti and had them set to music.

The ensemble Tra Noi undertakes a musical exploration of Ottoboni’s circle. The playful and experimental quartet was a guest at the Göttingen Handel Festival in 2024 and promptly won the audience award at the göttingen händel competition.