Europe was united by music long before it was united by politics. Throughout the eighteenth century, composers, performers, and ideas travelled freely across the continent, giving rise to a shared musical language in which French elegance, Italian virtuosity, and German profundity continually influenced one another and coexisted with remarkable naturalness.

It is this vibrant world that Ensemble Zefiro brings to life in L’Europa degli affetti (The Europe of the Affections). For more than thirty years, the ensemble has been internationally acclaimed for its historically informed performances on period instruments. This programme journeys through the music of Handel, Bach, Couperin, Fasch, Platti, and Vivaldi, revealing the richness of a musical culture without borders and reminding us that music was one of Europe’s first—and most enduring—common languages.