Vivaldi by Candlelight Concert: Titans of the Baroque

Gerald Elias brings his Vivaldi by Candlelight series back to First United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 5, with a program titled Titans of the Baroque. It's the original Vivaldi by Candlelight, the one that started the series, and it's distinct from the commercial versions you might see elsewhere. The concert is presented by Utah Global Diplomacy, whose signature annual fundraiser every ticket supports. For more than four decades, the organization has used music to build international understanding and goodwill, and this edition continues that work.

The program is a broad survey of the Baroque era. Vivaldi takes center stage with his Concerto for Strings in C Major RV 109 and Al Santo Sepolcro RV 130. Corelli is represented by Concerto Grosso in A Major Op. 6 No. 11, and Bach brings Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. The evening also includes works by Telemann and Handel, so it's not just Vivaldi—it's a full look at the period.

What makes this particular edition stand out is the lineup. For the first time in the series' history, the guest artists represent five different countries. Music Director Gerald Elias conducts, and the ensemble features Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli on double bass, Cristhian Requejo Jiménez on cello, Gabriel Niebuhr on viola, Federico Galieni on violin, and Peter Gjelsten on violin. It's a world-class group brought together for a single night.

This follows the 2025 edition, From Discord to Harmony, which was also held at First United Methodist Church. The concert runs from 7 PM to 9 PM at 203 South 200 East in Salt Lake City, and tickets start at $23.18.