January 1-7
Exhibit: Strong Women in Renaissance Italy
Through more than 100 works from the 14th to the early 17th century, this exhibition explores the lives and experiences of women in Renaissance Italy and offers new perspectives on female creativity, power, and agency. Learn about Sofonisba Anguissola, who served at the court of King Phillip II of Spain and painted more self-portraits than any other artist in Renaissance Italy. One of her self-portraits shows her holding a large shield-like object inscribed with her signature, declaring she painted it. See Renaissance interpretations of historical figures, like a bronze bust of Cleopatra showing the Egyptian queen as pensive and noble rather than seductive and dangerous—a work likely commissioned by Isabella d’Este, one of Renaissance Italy’s most influential patrons of the arts. Get to know the story of Gracia Nasi, a Jewish woman from a powerful family, through the portrait medal cast to celebrate her marriage. Women in Renaissance Italy faced challenges and barriers to equity, education, and influence. But they often found ways to work around or overcome the institutional structures of their time. The mix of sculpture, paintings, ceramics, textiles, fashion accessories, illustrated books, and prints in this exhibition reveals the material lives of Renaissance women and tells empowering and inspiring stories that have long gone untold.
Daily admission - Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
https://www.mfa.org/exhibition/strong-women-in-renaissance-italy
Through more than 100 works from the 14th to the early 17th century, this exhibition explores the lives and experiences of women in Renaissance Italy and offers new perspectives on female creativity, power, and agency. Learn about Sofonisba Anguissola, who served at the court of King Phillip II of Spain and painted more self-portraits than any other artist in Renaissance Italy. One of her self-portraits shows her holding a large shield-like object inscribed with her signature, declaring she painted it. See Renaissance interpretations of historical figures, like a bronze bust of Cleopatra showing the Egyptian queen as pensive and noble rather than seductive and dangerous—a work likely commissioned by Isabella d’Este, one of Renaissance Italy’s most influential patrons of the arts. Get to know the story of Gracia Nasi, a Jewish woman from a powerful family, through the portrait medal cast to celebrate her marriage. Women in Renaissance Italy faced challenges and barriers to equity, education, and influence. But they often found ways to work around or overcome the institutional structures of their time. The mix of sculpture, paintings, ceramics, textiles, fashion accessories, illustrated books, and prints in this exhibition reveals the material lives of Renaissance women and tells empowering and inspiring stories that have long gone untold.
Daily admission - Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
https://www.mfa.org/exhibition/strong-women-in-renaissance-italy
Sunday, January 7
Messe de Minuit pour Noël/Midnight Mass for Christmas
A Joyful Noyse
A presentation of Messe de Minuit by Marc-Antoine Charpentier on period instruments. The concert will include four motets, placed between the sections of the mass, written for the convents of Paris.
2pm - Hancock Church, 1912 Mass. Ave. Lexington, MA
$15 Donation for Hancock Music Program
https://www.hancockchurch.org/ajn/
A Joyful Noyse
A presentation of Messe de Minuit by Marc-Antoine Charpentier on period instruments. The concert will include four motets, placed between the sections of the mass, written for the convents of Paris.
2pm - Hancock Church, 1912 Mass. Ave. Lexington, MA
$15 Donation for Hancock Music Program
https://www.hancockchurch.org/ajn/
Night Song, A Divine Time Out
Lux Arcana (Teri Kowiak, Director)
Experience the prayerful cadence of chant that encourages meditation. Attend in person to start your new week in a sublime and tranquil way, basking in the exquisite beauty of chant and choral music sung in the reverberant First Church sanctuary.
Chant: Ecce advenit dominator Dominus
Chant Setting in Latin for Compline by Daryl Bichel
Psalm: 122 Laetatus Sum, set by J. Richard Morris
Chant: Omnes de Saba venient
Hymn: Sophia nasci fertur/O quam pulchra racio/Magi videntes stellam, Anon. (Codex Speciálník)
Marian Anthem: Salve Virgo Virginum, Anon. (Arundel 248)
7:30 PM - First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden St, Cambridge MA
www.nightsong.org
Lux Arcana (Teri Kowiak, Director)
Experience the prayerful cadence of chant that encourages meditation. Attend in person to start your new week in a sublime and tranquil way, basking in the exquisite beauty of chant and choral music sung in the reverberant First Church sanctuary.
Chant: Ecce advenit dominator Dominus
Chant Setting in Latin for Compline by Daryl Bichel
Psalm: 122 Laetatus Sum, set by J. Richard Morris
Chant: Omnes de Saba venient
Hymn: Sophia nasci fertur/O quam pulchra racio/Magi videntes stellam, Anon. (Codex Speciálník)
Marian Anthem: Salve Virgo Virginum, Anon. (Arundel 248)
7:30 PM - First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden St, Cambridge MA
www.nightsong.org
Wednesday, January 10
Renaissance Portraits: paintings, sculpture & medallions
Jodi Cranston, presenter
Renaissance portraits—whether paintings, medals, or sculpted busts—were invested with the power to commemorate the represented individuals; to make the depicted person present for future viewers. This lecture addresses the rich production of portraits in Renaissance Italy, the ambitions of the artists and patrons of portraits, and the sometimes unusual functions of these artworks in 15th- and 16th-century Italian culture. Presented in conjunction with our in-person series concert Renaissance Portraits. Jodi Cranston is professor of art history at Boston University. Her research and teaching focus on Italian Renaissance art, particularly 16th-century Venetian portraiture. Her forthcoming book, Animal Sightings, considers the depiction of animals alongside humans and the role of non-human creatures in shaping what it means to be human in the Renaissance.
7:00 pm - Online via Zoom
Tickets $10-$25
blueheron.org
Jodi Cranston, presenter
Renaissance portraits—whether paintings, medals, or sculpted busts—were invested with the power to commemorate the represented individuals; to make the depicted person present for future viewers. This lecture addresses the rich production of portraits in Renaissance Italy, the ambitions of the artists and patrons of portraits, and the sometimes unusual functions of these artworks in 15th- and 16th-century Italian culture. Presented in conjunction with our in-person series concert Renaissance Portraits. Jodi Cranston is professor of art history at Boston University. Her research and teaching focus on Italian Renaissance art, particularly 16th-century Venetian portraiture. Her forthcoming book, Animal Sightings, considers the depiction of animals alongside humans and the role of non-human creatures in shaping what it means to be human in the Renaissance.
7:00 pm - Online via Zoom
Tickets $10-$25
blueheron.org
January 13-14
Renaissance Recorder Weekend
Annette Bauer, early notation & recorder; Héloïse Degrugillier recorder
This special 2-day workshop is for players of Renaissance recorders. Groups will work on ensemble music for three sessions each day, followed by a session on early notation. We’ll work on getting the best out of these instruments which are specifically built for ensemble playing. How are they voiced? What are the possibilities for fingerings to facilitate good tuning? How is the blowing different than on a Baroque recorder? We’ll play together with the goal of sounding like a beautiful Renaissance organ. This is polyphony at its best -- good blend and individuality of parts! For advanced players with Renaissance recorders by Prescott, LiVirghi, or Ohanessian.www.amherstearlymusic.org/workshops/renaissance-recorder-weekend
9:30am-4:45pm - Allen Center for the Arts, West Newton MA
Tuition: $240. Work Study Tuition: $180
Details and Registration
Annette Bauer, early notation & recorder; Héloïse Degrugillier recorder
This special 2-day workshop is for players of Renaissance recorders. Groups will work on ensemble music for three sessions each day, followed by a session on early notation. We’ll work on getting the best out of these instruments which are specifically built for ensemble playing. How are they voiced? What are the possibilities for fingerings to facilitate good tuning? How is the blowing different than on a Baroque recorder? We’ll play together with the goal of sounding like a beautiful Renaissance organ. This is polyphony at its best -- good blend and individuality of parts! For advanced players with Renaissance recorders by Prescott, LiVirghi, or Ohanessian.www.amherstearlymusic.org/workshops/renaissance-recorder-weekend
9:30am-4:45pm - Allen Center for the Arts, West Newton MA
Tuition: $240. Work Study Tuition: $180
Details and Registration
Saturday, January 13
Chamber Music Concert
Students in early music chamber groups and other ensembles perform in their winter recital. This event is free and open to the public, all are welcome!
4:00pm - Powers Music School Concert Hall, 160 Lexington St. Belmont MA
Free.
https://powersmusic.org/events-category/student-performances/
Students in early music chamber groups and other ensembles perform in their winter recital. This event is free and open to the public, all are welcome!
4:00pm - Powers Music School Concert Hall, 160 Lexington St. Belmont MA
Free.
https://powersmusic.org/events-category/student-performances/
Saturday, January 20
Renaissance Portraits
Blue Heron (Scott Metcalfe, director)
Musical portraits of popes & nobles, lovers & spouses, patrons & friends, & theatrical personalities including a cocky cook & a desperately self-absorbed lover. Music by Ciconia, Du Fay, Busnoys, Isaac & others. Free pre-concert talk by Jodi Cranston (Boston University) at 2:15 pm.
3pm - First Church Congregational, 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA
Tickets $10-$87
www.blueheron.org
Blue Heron (Scott Metcalfe, director)
Musical portraits of popes & nobles, lovers & spouses, patrons & friends, & theatrical personalities including a cocky cook & a desperately self-absorbed lover. Music by Ciconia, Du Fay, Busnoys, Isaac & others. Free pre-concert talk by Jodi Cranston (Boston University) at 2:15 pm.
3pm - First Church Congregational, 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA
Tickets $10-$87
www.blueheron.org
Sunday, January 21
Folk Baroque
Daniel Rowe, Baroque 'cello, Joy Grimes, Baroque violin / fiddle, Emily Rideout, Baroque viola
Folk Baroque explores the counterpoint and connections between Baroque music and traditional music from around the world. We perform on period instruments (fiddle, Baroque viola, and Baroque 'cello) to share music old and new, from a variety of traditions. Our concerts offer up anything from Bach to ragtime, and centuries-old fiddle tunes to our own compositions. Folk Baroque recently appeared as featured chamber ensemble of Classical Uprising's 2023 Portland Bach Festival. Upcoming performances include the SwitchArts chamber music series in RI and the Massachusetts Suzuki Festival in Concord, MA.
7pm - Sanctuary, 82 Main St. Maynard, MA
Tickets: $15/Advance, $20/door. Full bar. You’re welcome to bring snacks and/or take-out.
www.sanctuarymaynard.com/Event/Details/627
Daniel Rowe, Baroque 'cello, Joy Grimes, Baroque violin / fiddle, Emily Rideout, Baroque viola
Folk Baroque explores the counterpoint and connections between Baroque music and traditional music from around the world. We perform on period instruments (fiddle, Baroque viola, and Baroque 'cello) to share music old and new, from a variety of traditions. Our concerts offer up anything from Bach to ragtime, and centuries-old fiddle tunes to our own compositions. Folk Baroque recently appeared as featured chamber ensemble of Classical Uprising's 2023 Portland Bach Festival. Upcoming performances include the SwitchArts chamber music series in RI and the Massachusetts Suzuki Festival in Concord, MA.
7pm - Sanctuary, 82 Main St. Maynard, MA
Tickets: $15/Advance, $20/door. Full bar. You’re welcome to bring snacks and/or take-out.
www.sanctuarymaynard.com/Event/Details/627
Friday, January 26
Ballads, Fancies, & Courtly Airs
El Dorado Ensemble: Carol Lewis, Karen Burciaga, James Perretta, Mai-Lan Broekman, Alice Mroszczyk, viols; Carrie Cheron, mezzo-soprano; Olav Chris Henriksen, Matthew Wright, lutes, bandora, cittern
Songs and instrumental music from 17th-century England by Tomkins, Simpson, Robinson, Weelkes, Lawes, and others.
8pm - First Church Congregational, 11 Garden St. Cambridge, MA
$20-25
www.duomaresienne.com
El Dorado Ensemble: Carol Lewis, Karen Burciaga, James Perretta, Mai-Lan Broekman, Alice Mroszczyk, viols; Carrie Cheron, mezzo-soprano; Olav Chris Henriksen, Matthew Wright, lutes, bandora, cittern
Songs and instrumental music from 17th-century England by Tomkins, Simpson, Robinson, Weelkes, Lawes, and others.
8pm - First Church Congregational, 11 Garden St. Cambridge, MA
$20-25
www.duomaresienne.com
Saturday, January 27
Go from my Window: Lute and Cittern in Elizabethan England
Hideki Yamaya, Renaissance lute and cittern.
1:30pm - Wadsworth Atheneum 600 Main Street, Hartford, CT
www.thewadsworth.org/
Hideki Yamaya, Renaissance lute and cittern.
1:30pm - Wadsworth Atheneum 600 Main Street, Hartford, CT
www.thewadsworth.org/
Sunday, January 28
Ballads, Fancies, & Courtly Airs
El Dorado Ensemble: Carol Lewis, Karen Burciaga, James Perretta, Mai-Lan Broekman, Alice Mroszczyk, viols; Carrie Cheron, mezzo-soprano; Olav Chris Henriksen, Matthew Wright, lutes, bandora, cittern
Songs and instrumental music from 17th-century England by Tomkins, Simpson, Robinson, Weelkes, Lawes, and others.
3pm - Somerville Museum, One Westwood Rd. Somerville, MA
$20-25
www.duomaresienne.com
El Dorado Ensemble: Carol Lewis, Karen Burciaga, James Perretta, Mai-Lan Broekman, Alice Mroszczyk, viols; Carrie Cheron, mezzo-soprano; Olav Chris Henriksen, Matthew Wright, lutes, bandora, cittern
Songs and instrumental music from 17th-century England by Tomkins, Simpson, Robinson, Weelkes, Lawes, and others.
3pm - Somerville Museum, One Westwood Rd. Somerville, MA
$20-25
www.duomaresienne.com
Go from my Window: Lute and Cittern in Elizabethan England
Hideki Yamaya, Renaissance lute and cittern.
4pm - Roslindale Congregational Church, 25 Cummins Hwy, Roslindale, MA
https://www.hidekiyamaya.com/schedule
Hideki Yamaya, Renaissance lute and cittern.
4pm - Roslindale Congregational Church, 25 Cummins Hwy, Roslindale, MA
https://www.hidekiyamaya.com/schedule
Before Byrd: Music in the English Manner
The Elm City Consort with vocalists Elisa Sutherland, Garrett Eucker, and Andrew Padgett
This well-known quote referring to “the English manner” (la contenance Angloise) indicates that by the middle of the 15th century a distinct English musical style was recognized and admired on the Continent. As with other national or regional styles, attempts to precisely define “the English Manner” leave many questions unanswered. In this program, we trace English musical composition from the earliest known songs of the 12th century to early Renaissance masterworks of John Dunstable (1390-1453) and his followers. We invite you to join us for this exploration of the development of a national musical style.
4 p.m. - First Presbyterian Church of New Haven, 704 Whitney Ave. New Haven CT
FREE; donations welcome
elmcityconsort.org
The Elm City Consort with vocalists Elisa Sutherland, Garrett Eucker, and Andrew Padgett
This well-known quote referring to “the English manner” (la contenance Angloise) indicates that by the middle of the 15th century a distinct English musical style was recognized and admired on the Continent. As with other national or regional styles, attempts to precisely define “the English Manner” leave many questions unanswered. In this program, we trace English musical composition from the earliest known songs of the 12th century to early Renaissance masterworks of John Dunstable (1390-1453) and his followers. We invite you to join us for this exploration of the development of a national musical style.
4 p.m. - First Presbyterian Church of New Haven, 704 Whitney Ave. New Haven CT
FREE; donations welcome
elmcityconsort.org
Night Song, A Divine Time Out
Canticum vespertinum (Jennifer Lester, music director) and Erik Bertrand, cantor
Chant: Mirabantur omnes from the Liber Usualis
Anthem: O Gracious Light by Daryl Bichel
Chant Setting for Compline in the Lydian Mode by Bichel
Psalm: 36, set by Patricia Van Ness
Chant: Circumdederunt me from the Liber Usualis
Motet: O nata lux by Thomas Tallis
Marian Motet: Alma Redemptoris Mater by Tomás Luis de Victoria
7:30 PM - First Church, 11 Garden St. Cambridge MA
https://www.nightsong.org/
Canticum vespertinum (Jennifer Lester, music director) and Erik Bertrand, cantor
Chant: Mirabantur omnes from the Liber Usualis
Anthem: O Gracious Light by Daryl Bichel
Chant Setting for Compline in the Lydian Mode by Bichel
Psalm: 36, set by Patricia Van Ness
Chant: Circumdederunt me from the Liber Usualis
Motet: O nata lux by Thomas Tallis
Marian Motet: Alma Redemptoris Mater by Tomás Luis de Victoria
7:30 PM - First Church, 11 Garden St. Cambridge MA
https://www.nightsong.org/