Wednesday, May 24
Black Box Baroque and Albany Consort
George Frideric Handel, Aci, Galatea, e Polifemo. Black Box Baroque and the Albany Consort combine forces for our third Handel production together. This dramatic cantata features daring, experimental sound colors from early in Handel’s output (1708), and extraordinary vocal writing for bass-baritone, pants-role soprano, and mezzo-soprano. Aci and the sea-nymph Galatea are deeply in love, but the violently jealous cyclops Polyphemo murders Aci. Galatea’s true devotion turns Aci into an immortal river spirit. This is the Italian precursor to Handel’s beloved English oratorio Acis and Galatea. With soloists Sara Hagenbuch as Aci, Ellen Presley as Galatea, and Ben Brady as Polifemo, Stage direction by Katie Nix musical direction by Jonathan Salzedo. Reduced length, with orchestra.
12:30 PM
Stanford Hospital Atrium
300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford
Free. No ticket required
Information: http://www.albanyconsort.org/next-concert/, 408-480-0182.
Early Music Open Mic Night
Join us for Early Music Open Mic Night in the East Bay. This is your opportunity to perform early music in a friendly cabaret style setting. Instrumentalists, singers, soloists, groups, students, youngsters, professionals — all are welcome! Please email [email protected] with the date you’d like to perform. Time slots will be up to 15 minutes, and there will be six time slots on each night. A Roland state of the art harpsichord/organ will be available on site as well as a regular piano. Food and drinks will be provided.
7–9:30 PM
Hillside Community Church,
1422 Navellier Street, El Cerrito
Donations gratefully accepted
[email protected]
Stanford Early Music Singers, William Mahrt, Director
The Stanford Early Music Singers will present a concert in observance of the five hundredth anniversary of the death of Heinrich Isaac (ca. 1450–1517). The performance will be directed by Prof. William Mahrt, whose doctoral dissertation was on works of Isaac. Isaac was among the most prominent composers of his generation; he served first Lorenzo de’ Medici in Florence and then the Emperor Maximilian in Vienna. For Lorenzo, he composed settings of Lorenzo’s poetry for carnival songs as well as Mass music and his famous lament on the death of Lorenzo. For the court of Maximilian, he composed German Lieder, political motets, and an extensive cycle of the Propers of the Mass, ultimately named Choralis Constantinus, and numerous Mass Ordinaries. The concert will feature Florentine carnival songs and motets as well as the Lament on the Death of Lorenzo de’ Medici. From the Maximilian era it will include a political motet, German Lieder, and motets for the Reichstag in Constance in 1507, as well as pieces from the Choralis Constantinus. A brief narrative of Isaac’s biography and his works will be given as introduction to the pieces.
7:30 PM
Stanford Memorial Church
450 Serra Mall, Stanford University
Free
Saturday, May 27
Flauti Diversi
Flauti Diversi hosts a CD release party celebrating their recent recording of the complete Op. 37 trios for baroque flute, viola da gamba, and chamber organ. There will be a short program of selections from the CD as well as a few other French baroque works. Come party! Complimentary wine and the music; food is available for purchase at the venue. This event is free.
8–10 PM
Cafe Leila
1724 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley
Admission Free, Tapas and Dinner available to purchase
RSVP to [email protected]
Foothill Concert Series presents Black Box Baroque and Albany Consort
George Frideric Handel, Aci, Galatea, e Polifemo. Black Box Baroque and the Albany Consort combine forces for our third Handel production together. This dramatic cantata features daring, experimental sound colors from early in Handel’s output (1708), and extraordinary vocal writing for bass-baritone, pants-role soprano, and mezzo-soprano. Aci and the sea-nymph Galatea are deeply in love, but the violently jealous cyclops Polyphemo murders Aci. Galatea’s true devotion turns Aci into an immortal river spirit. This is the Italian precursor to Handel’s beloved English oratorio Acis and Galatea. With soloists Sara Hagenbuch as Aci, Ellen Presley as Galatea, and Ben Brady as Polifemo, Stage direction by Katie Nix musical direction by Jonathan Salzedo. Reduced length, with orchestra.
7:30 PM
Foothill Presbyterian Church
5301 McKee Rd, San Jose
$15 Children 12 and under Free
Tickets online
Information: http://www.albanyconsort.org/next-concert/, 408-480-0182.
TACTUS: Minim Sagas (A concert inspired by the Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher)
Ever wondered how Renaissance composers put together their beautiful motets? Or are you curious to hear music that can be read backwards? Or both right way up and upside-down, and still sounds exactly the same? Join Tactus for a unique show over Memorial Day weekend, when we demystify (or re-obfuscate) polyphony from Machaut to Mouton and from Ockeghem to Tallis, featuring new musical puzzle pieces devised for Tactus by director Tanmoy Laskar! The show will include a simultaneous audio-visual presentation for an added dimension to your concert experience. You’ll never think of choral music the same way again.
Free pre-concert audio-visual presentation by the director exploring the music of the concert and its connection to M.C. Escher starts 30 minutes before the concert.
8 PM
St Matthew’s Lutheran Church
3281 16th Street, San Francisco
Admission: $15 (no one turned away for lack of funds)
Chora Nova Paul Flight, Artistic Director
Sacred Choral Music of the French Baroque: Chora Nova will crown its season in French Baroque style. Three grandes motets by composers of the French court will ornament Chora Nova’s final concert of the season on May 27 in Berkeley. Founding Artistic Director Paul Flight will conduct the 60-voice chorus, with vocal soloists and Baroque orchestra. Early-music fans will delight in the program, which includes Lully’s lively Te Deum; Rameau’s Quam dilecta tabernacula, one of only four motets he is known to have written; and Confitebor tibi Domine by Delalande, who was one of the most prolific and influential composers of his day.
8 PM
First Presbyterian Church
Corner of Dana & Channing, Berkeley, CA
Tickets: $25 /$20 senior /$10 student with ID
Tickets available through www.choranova.org, at the door, or from any chorister.
Sunday, May 28
Black Box Baroque and Albany Consort
George Frideric Handel, Aci, Galatea, e Polifemo. Black Box Baroque and the Albany Consort combine forces for our third Handel production together. This dramatic cantata features daring, experimental sound colors from early in Handel’s output (1708), and extraordinary vocal writing for bass-baritone, pants-role soprano, and mezzo-soprano. Aci and the sea-nymph Galatea are deeply in love, but the violently jealous cyclops Polyphemo murders Aci. Galatea’s true devotion turns Aci into an immortal river spirit. This is the Italian precursor to Handel’s beloved English oratorio Acis and Galatea. With soloists Sara Hagenbuch as Aci, Ellen Presley as Galatea, and Ben Brady as Polifemo, Stage direction by Katie Nix musical direction by Jonathan Salzedo. Reduced length, with orchestra.
3 PM
Los Altos Lutheran Church
460 S El Monte Ave, Los Altos
$30/$20
Tickets online
Information: http://www.albanyconsort.org/next-concert/, 408-480-0182.
TACTUS: Minim Sagas (A concert inspired by the Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher)
Ever wondered how Renaissance composers put together their beautiful motets? Or are you curious to hear music that can be read backwards? Or both right way up and upside-down, and still sounds exactly the same? Join Tactus for a unique show over Memorial Day weekend, when we demystify (or re-obfuscate) polyphony from Machaut to Mouton and from Ockeghem to Tallis, featuring new musical puzzle pieces devised for Tactus by director Tanmoy Laskar! The show will include a simultaneous audio-visual presentation for an added dimension to your concert experience. You’ll never think of choral music the same way again.
Free pre-concert audio-visual presentation by the director exploring the music of the concert and its connection to M.C. Escher starts 30 minutes before the concert.
3 PM
St. Jerome’s Catholic Church
308 Carmel Ave, El Cerrito
Admission: $15 (no one turned away for lack of funds)
Continue reading next week’s calendar . . .
