Internationally acclaimed countertenor Max Emanuel Cenčić will headline a special Baroque opera gala on May 23, 2026, reviving the music and theatrical grandeur associated with one of the 18th century’s most celebrated opera stars, the legendary castrato Senesino.
The concert, taking place in Athens Megaron Concert Hall at 8:30 p.m., will feature Camerata – Orchestra of the Friends of Music performing on period instruments under the direction of conductor Nicola Valentini. Greek surtitles will be provided.
The program pays tribute to Senesino, born Francesco Bernardi, whose exemplary voice and commanding stage presence made him one of Europe’s most sought-after opera singers during the Baroque era. Known for combining clarity, power and sweetness in his singing, Senesino became closely associated with composer George Frideric Handel after the two met in Dresden in 1719.
Musical conductor Nicola Valentini
Impressed by the singer’s abilities, Handel invited Senesino to London, where he quickly became a sensation. Despite the pair’s famously turbulent working relationship and backstage conflicts, Handel composed some of his most celebrated arias specifically for him, helping define the archetype of the heroic lead in Baroque opera.
Senesino’s vocal artistry also inspired major composers of the period including Antonio Vivaldi and Nicola Porpora, both of whom wrote music showcasing the dramatic intensity and virtuosic range of the castrato voice.
Cenčić, widely regarded as one of the leading interpreters of Baroque repertoire today, will revisit this musical legacy through a gala dedicated to the passion, vocal brilliance and theatrical spectacle that characterized the golden age of Baroque opera.
Joined by Camerata – Orchestra of the Friends of Music, known for its historically informed performances on period instruments, the concert aims to recreate the sound world and emotional intensity of 18th-century European opera.
