Anna-Liisa Eller - Estonian chromatic kannel
Kristo Käo - 5-course guitar

1 - Toccata Seconda Arpeggiata - Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger

Baroque ensemble Floridante was founded in Tallinn in early 2014 and has quickly gained a prominent position in the Estonian early and classical music scene. “Sunshine in the Estonian Baroque sky” and “Masters of the early music” has declared Estonian major culture newspaper Sirp in the first concert reviews regarding Floridante.

Initiated by Baroque violinist Meelis Orgse and harpsichordist Saale Fischer, Floridante is a flexible compilation of six or more instrumentalists, including Ele Raik (baroque oboe), Kristo Käo (theorbo / baroque guitar), Mari-Liis Vihermäe (traverso) and Tõnu Jõesaar (baroque cello / viola da gamba) as the core members of the ensemble. Several concert programs include soprano Maria Valdmaa, 2014 London Händel competition 2nd prize and audience award winner.

Floridante’s musicians have graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and furthered their studies in historical performance practice at the Sibelius Academy of Helsinki (FI), music universities of Trossingen, Bremen and Freiburg (DE), Conservatoire Supérior de Paris (FR), Koninklijk Conservatorium den Haag (NL), and in numerous master classes.

Though named after Händel’s opera, Floridante’s repertoire outreaches the German high Baroque, including music from the late 16th century Italy to the galant style of the 18th century. For 2015, ensemble Floridante & Maria Valdmaa have been selected to celebrate the year of Bach & Händel in the most prestigious concert halls in Estonia, Estonia Concert Hall, Vanemuine Concert Hall as well as the Haapsalu Early Music Festival.

1 - Toccata Seconda Arpeggiata - Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger

Ensemble Floridante