| Early MusiChicago |
The Early Music Series 2004-2005 Season Concert #1 Sunday, November 21, 2004, 3pm Purcell's Dido and Aeneas England's Oldest Opera Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas is the tragic story of the Queen of Carthage and her passion for Aeneas, who fled Troy after defeat in the Trojan War. This concert version, accompanied by string quintet and harpsichord, is conducted by Francesco Milioto and features sopranos Michelle Areyzaga (playing Belinda) and Anne-Marie Lewis (Dido), contralto Veronica McHale (Sorceress), and baritone Bill McMurray (Aeneas). Additional roles and chorus to be sung by students from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Concert #2 Sunday, December 12, 2004, 4pm Liber unUsualis Before the First Noel: Medieval Christmas Songs and Carols Many of today's Christmas themes and traditions have their roots in practices of the Middle Ages. Liber unUsualis explores the music of these age-old traditions, dusting off medieval versions of such favorites as "There is no rose" and the "Coventry Carol." Using music from all over Europe, this concert also unearths some new treasures -- from the elegant polyphony of 12th century France to the merry carols of 15th century England and many styles in between. Enjoy hearing some old favorites and leave humming new ones! Liber unUsualis is a vocal trio specializing in music of the middle ages. The members of Liber unUsualis are Melanie Germond, soprano; Carolann Buff, mezzo-soprano; and William Hudson, tenor. They are receiving rave reviews following the release of their first CD, "Guillaume de Machaut: Unrequited." Learn more about Liber unUsualis at http://www.liberunusualis.com/ Concert #3 Sunday, January 9, 2005, 4pm Ars Antigua with Ensemble Voltaire Vive la difference Music and music making in the Baroque Era were highly colored by the differences in national styles of composition and performance and by the lively debate over their relative merits. No such rivalry was more intense than that between France and Italy. In this concert, Ensemble Voltaire in collaboration with Ars Antigua (directed by Jerry Fuller) celebrates the spirited competition both in music and in the words of "ear witnesses" from the time. With music by Lonati, Hotteterre, Leclair and others. Learn more about Ensemble Voltaire at http://ensemblevoltaire.com/cssOpen.htm Concert #4 Sunday, February 20, 2005, 4pm Metropolis Quartet The Metropolis Quartet (Deb Stevenson-oboe; Thomas Yang-violin; Jeri-Lou Zike-viola; and Steven Houser-cello) will perform a concert of baroque and classical favorites. The highlight of the program will be Mozart's Quartet in F Major -- often considered the best of the compositions for oboe and string quartet, this piece is full of musical humor and charm. Works by Italian Classical composer Luigi Gatti and baroque violinist Felice Giardini provide much excitement with their gymnastic writing for both the oboe and violin. JC Bach's lively quartet will round out this program with high-energy flair. The Metropolis Quartet provides an evening of great music, performed with personality and enthusiasm -- a combination not to be missed. Concert #5 Sunday, March 13, 2005, 4pm Weissduo Music for Flute and Lute The 18th century in the German-speaking countries saw an incredible outburst of great chamber music written for the flauto traverso (baroque flute) and the baroque lute. In this concert, renowned Chicago-based flutist Anita Miller Rieder joins lutenist Joel Spears to explore this unustly neglected repertoire. The name Weissduo refers to Silvius Leopold Weiss, the greatest lutenist of the 18th century. His sonata for flute and lute is included in the program, along with works by Baron, Daube, Rust, and Quantz. All concerts are on Sundays at 4pm and cost $15 per ticket. Children under 16 are free. A subscription to the whole series of four concerts is $48, a savings of $12. As always at the Barn, you may BYOB. To order tickets or for more information, call 847-543-1202. The Byron Colby Barn is located at 1561 Jones Point Road in Grayslake, Illinois. Directions: From I-94, take Route 120 west about 4.5 miles. Turn left (south) at the junction with Route 45. From Route 45, turn right (west) at the next light, which is Jones Point Road. The Byron Colby Barn and parking will be on the left. |