Friday, May 2
Beethoven, Mozart + The Bear
Handel + Hayden (Jonathan Cohen, conductor) with Kristian Bezuidenhout, fortepiano, and the H+H Orchestra and HHYC Chorus
End the 2024–25 Season on a high note with three showstopping surprises—music from the back catalogs of much-loved composers that just might become your new favorites. Kristian Bezuidenhout, known worldwide as one of today’s most exciting fortepianists, opens with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4; Gramophone calls his recording “one of the finest, most deeply perceptive and thrilling performances of [the piece] on record.” Next, incidental music from Mozart tells a stirring story of power, betrayal, and revenge. And finally, Jonathan Cohen takes you to the carnival with a Haydn symphony nicknamed for dancing bears: ferocious majesty meets unexpected delight.
7:30pm - Symphony Hall, Boston, MA
https://handelandhaydn.org/concerts/2024-25/beethoven-mozart-the-bear/
Handel + Hayden (Jonathan Cohen, conductor) with Kristian Bezuidenhout, fortepiano, and the H+H Orchestra and HHYC Chorus
End the 2024–25 Season on a high note with three showstopping surprises—music from the back catalogs of much-loved composers that just might become your new favorites. Kristian Bezuidenhout, known worldwide as one of today’s most exciting fortepianists, opens with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4; Gramophone calls his recording “one of the finest, most deeply perceptive and thrilling performances of [the piece] on record.” Next, incidental music from Mozart tells a stirring story of power, betrayal, and revenge. And finally, Jonathan Cohen takes you to the carnival with a Haydn symphony nicknamed for dancing bears: ferocious majesty meets unexpected delight.
7:30pm - Symphony Hall, Boston, MA
https://handelandhaydn.org/concerts/2024-25/beethoven-mozart-the-bear/
Saturday, May 3
Gala: Renaissance Reimagined
Nightingale Vocal Ensemble
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Nightingale had existed 400 years ago? Come and find out by joining us for this year’s NightinGALA: Renaissance Reimagined, a performance of new compositions based on early sources paired directly with the pieces that informed them. Inspired by Roderick Williams’ Ave Verum Corpus (Reimagined), an inventive reworking of the Byrd classic, the concert will feature premieres by Nightingale composers Nathan Halbur, Kelvyn Koning, and Ben Perry, as well as contemporary compositions by Kerensa Briggs, Caroline Shaw, and local composer Richard J Clark all showcased alongside works of the Renaissance greats. Join us for food, drink, a silent auction, and a concert you won’t soon forget! Project Produced by Elijah Botkin and Barbara Hill.
7PM - Gordon Chapel at Old South Church, 645 Boylston St. Boston, MA
https://www.nightingalevocalensemble.com/season-6.html
Nightingale Vocal Ensemble
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Nightingale had existed 400 years ago? Come and find out by joining us for this year’s NightinGALA: Renaissance Reimagined, a performance of new compositions based on early sources paired directly with the pieces that informed them. Inspired by Roderick Williams’ Ave Verum Corpus (Reimagined), an inventive reworking of the Byrd classic, the concert will feature premieres by Nightingale composers Nathan Halbur, Kelvyn Koning, and Ben Perry, as well as contemporary compositions by Kerensa Briggs, Caroline Shaw, and local composer Richard J Clark all showcased alongside works of the Renaissance greats. Join us for food, drink, a silent auction, and a concert you won’t soon forget! Project Produced by Elijah Botkin and Barbara Hill.
7PM - Gordon Chapel at Old South Church, 645 Boylston St. Boston, MA
https://www.nightingalevocalensemble.com/season-6.html
Dona nobis pacem
Jameson Singers with Dana Lynne Varga, soprano, Paul Max Tipton, bass-baritone
Join the Jameson Singers in a call for peace through music at its choral orchestral spring concert featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams’ iconic cantata, Dona nobis pacem. Vaughan Williams’ stunning masterpiece features words selected from the Mass and Bible, an excerpt from a historical anti-war speech and poetry by the legendary Walt Whitman, all performed by a full choir, two soloists and an orchestra. The concert will also include the poignant Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber alongside the contemplative Da pacem Domine by Arvo Pärt and the compelling Dona nobis pacem by Pēteris Vasks.
8:00pm - First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden St. Cambridge, MA
$10-$50
https://www.jamesonsingers.org/
Jameson Singers with Dana Lynne Varga, soprano, Paul Max Tipton, bass-baritone
Join the Jameson Singers in a call for peace through music at its choral orchestral spring concert featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams’ iconic cantata, Dona nobis pacem. Vaughan Williams’ stunning masterpiece features words selected from the Mass and Bible, an excerpt from a historical anti-war speech and poetry by the legendary Walt Whitman, all performed by a full choir, two soloists and an orchestra. The concert will also include the poignant Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber alongside the contemplative Da pacem Domine by Arvo Pärt and the compelling Dona nobis pacem by Pēteris Vasks.
8:00pm - First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden St. Cambridge, MA
$10-$50
https://www.jamesonsingers.org/
Sunday, May 4
Beethoven, Mozart + The Bear
Handel + Hayden (Jonathan Cohen, conductor) with Kristian Bezuidenhout, fortepiano, and the H+H Orchestra and HHYC Chorus
End the 2024–25 Season on a high note with three showstopping surprises—music from the back catalogs of much-loved composers that just might become your new favorites. Kristian Bezuidenhout, known worldwide as one of today’s most exciting fortepianists, opens with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4; Gramophone calls his recording “one of the finest, most deeply perceptive and thrilling performances of [the piece] on record.” Next, incidental music from Mozart tells a stirring story of power, betrayal, and revenge. And finally, Jonathan Cohen takes you to the carnival with a Haydn symphony nicknamed for dancing bears: ferocious majesty meets unexpected delight.
3:00pm - Symphony Hall, Boston, MA
https://handelandhaydn.org/concerts/2024-25/beethoven-mozart-the-bear/
Handel + Hayden (Jonathan Cohen, conductor) with Kristian Bezuidenhout, fortepiano, and the H+H Orchestra and HHYC Chorus
End the 2024–25 Season on a high note with three showstopping surprises—music from the back catalogs of much-loved composers that just might become your new favorites. Kristian Bezuidenhout, known worldwide as one of today’s most exciting fortepianists, opens with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4; Gramophone calls his recording “one of the finest, most deeply perceptive and thrilling performances of [the piece] on record.” Next, incidental music from Mozart tells a stirring story of power, betrayal, and revenge. And finally, Jonathan Cohen takes you to the carnival with a Haydn symphony nicknamed for dancing bears: ferocious majesty meets unexpected delight.
3:00pm - Symphony Hall, Boston, MA
https://handelandhaydn.org/concerts/2024-25/beethoven-mozart-the-bear/
Friday, May 9
Harmonia artificioso-ariosa
Newton Baroque: Susanna Ogata, Christina Day Martinson, violins, Cullen O'Niel, cello, Andrus Madsen, keyboard
Music for two violins and continuo by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
7:30 pm - Goethe-Institut, 170 Beacon St., Boston
https://www.newtonbaroque.org/concerts.html
Newton Baroque: Susanna Ogata, Christina Day Martinson, violins, Cullen O'Niel, cello, Andrus Madsen, keyboard
Music for two violins and continuo by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
7:30 pm - Goethe-Institut, 170 Beacon St., Boston
https://www.newtonbaroque.org/concerts.html
Saturday, May 10
Rappresentatione di Anima e di Corpo
Crescendo Chorus and Period Instrument Orchestra, with Paulina Francisco, soprano, Anicet Castel, baritone, Paul Max Tipton, bass-baritone, Pablo Bustos, tenor, Jermaine Woodard Jr., baritone, Benjamin Rauch, countertenor, Salome Sandoval, soprano, Jennifer Tyo Oberto, soprano
Crescendo presents two performances of a rarely heard early baroque work for soloists, chorus and orchestra: Rappresentatione di Anima e di Corpo (Representation of Soul and Body) by Emilio de’ Cavalieri. This musical drama in three acts was composed in 1600, and is the first musical work of its kind. Written and published at a turning point in musical history, the beginning of the revolutionary Baroque era, this work is considered both an opera and an oratorio. Among a cast of allegorical figures, the two main characters Soul and Body, argue about the meaning of their existence. They are tempted to enjoy material goods by Pleasure, World, and Worldly Life, and urged to pursue a virtuous life by Counsel, Intellect, and the Guardian Angel. The conflict also includes visions of hell with the appearance of the Damned Souls, and of heaven in the voices of the Blessed Souls and the Angels. Also on the program are two short balletti by Cavalieri and his contemporary Cristofano Malvezzi, composed for the marriage of their patrons Ferdinand II of Medici and Christina of Lorraine. Malvezzi’s piece features thirty voices, divided into seven choirs, creating an auditory climax for this performance.
6:00 pm - Trinity Church, Lakeville, CT
$10 - $75
A pre-concert talk will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Church. Crescendo’s Founding Artistic Director Christine Gevert will explain the background of Cavalieri’s Rappresentatione. The talk will also be live streamed on Zoom. www.crescendomusic.org.
Crescendo Chorus and Period Instrument Orchestra, with Paulina Francisco, soprano, Anicet Castel, baritone, Paul Max Tipton, bass-baritone, Pablo Bustos, tenor, Jermaine Woodard Jr., baritone, Benjamin Rauch, countertenor, Salome Sandoval, soprano, Jennifer Tyo Oberto, soprano
Crescendo presents two performances of a rarely heard early baroque work for soloists, chorus and orchestra: Rappresentatione di Anima e di Corpo (Representation of Soul and Body) by Emilio de’ Cavalieri. This musical drama in three acts was composed in 1600, and is the first musical work of its kind. Written and published at a turning point in musical history, the beginning of the revolutionary Baroque era, this work is considered both an opera and an oratorio. Among a cast of allegorical figures, the two main characters Soul and Body, argue about the meaning of their existence. They are tempted to enjoy material goods by Pleasure, World, and Worldly Life, and urged to pursue a virtuous life by Counsel, Intellect, and the Guardian Angel. The conflict also includes visions of hell with the appearance of the Damned Souls, and of heaven in the voices of the Blessed Souls and the Angels. Also on the program are two short balletti by Cavalieri and his contemporary Cristofano Malvezzi, composed for the marriage of their patrons Ferdinand II of Medici and Christina of Lorraine. Malvezzi’s piece features thirty voices, divided into seven choirs, creating an auditory climax for this performance.
6:00 pm - Trinity Church, Lakeville, CT
$10 - $75
A pre-concert talk will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Church. Crescendo’s Founding Artistic Director Christine Gevert will explain the background of Cavalieri’s Rappresentatione. The talk will also be live streamed on Zoom. www.crescendomusic.org.
Harmonia artificioso-ariosa
Newton Baroque: Susanna Ogata, Christina Day Martinson, violins, Cullen O'Niel, cello, Andrus Madsen, keyboard
Music for two violins and continuo by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
7:30 pm - Nathaniel Allen House, 35 Webster St., West Newton
https://www.newtonbaroque.org/concerts.html
Newton Baroque: Susanna Ogata, Christina Day Martinson, violins, Cullen O'Niel, cello, Andrus Madsen, keyboard
Music for two violins and continuo by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
7:30 pm - Nathaniel Allen House, 35 Webster St., West Newton
https://www.newtonbaroque.org/concerts.html
Sunday, May 11
Rappresentatione di Anima e di Corpo
Crescendo Chorus and Period Instrument Orchestra, with Paulina Francisco, soprano, Anicet Castel, baritone, Paul Max Tipton, bass-baritone, Pablo Bustos, tenor, Jermaine Woodard Jr., baritone, Benjamin Rauch, countertenor, Salome Sandoval, soprano, Jennifer Tyo Oberto, soprano
Crescendo presents two performances of a rarely heard early baroque work for soloists, chorus and orchestra: Rappresentatione di Anima e di Corpo (Representation of Soul and Body) by Emilio de’ Cavalieri. This musical drama in three acts was composed in 1600, and is the first musical work of its kind. Written and published at a turning point in musical history, the beginning of the revolutionary Baroque era, this work is considered both an opera and an oratorio. Among a cast of allegorical figures, the two main characters Soul and Body, argue about the meaning of their existence. They are tempted to enjoy material goods by Pleasure, World, and Worldly Life, and urged to pursue a virtuous life by Counsel, Intellect, and the Guardian Angel. The conflict also includes visions of hell with the appearance of the Damned Souls, and of heaven in the voices of the Blessed Souls and the Angels. Also on the program are two short balletti by Cavalieri and his contemporary Cristofano Malvezzi, composed for the marriage of their patrons Ferdinand II of Medici and Christina of Lorraine. Malvezzi’s piece features thirty voices, divided into seven choirs, creating an auditory climax for this performance.
4:00 pm - St James Place, Gret Barrington, MA
$10 - $75
A pre-concert talk will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Church in Lakeville CT. Crescendo’s Founding Artistic Director Christine Gevert will explain the background of Cavalieri’s Rappresentatione. The talk will also be live streamed on Zoom. www.crescendomusic.org.
Crescendo Chorus and Period Instrument Orchestra, with Paulina Francisco, soprano, Anicet Castel, baritone, Paul Max Tipton, bass-baritone, Pablo Bustos, tenor, Jermaine Woodard Jr., baritone, Benjamin Rauch, countertenor, Salome Sandoval, soprano, Jennifer Tyo Oberto, soprano
Crescendo presents two performances of a rarely heard early baroque work for soloists, chorus and orchestra: Rappresentatione di Anima e di Corpo (Representation of Soul and Body) by Emilio de’ Cavalieri. This musical drama in three acts was composed in 1600, and is the first musical work of its kind. Written and published at a turning point in musical history, the beginning of the revolutionary Baroque era, this work is considered both an opera and an oratorio. Among a cast of allegorical figures, the two main characters Soul and Body, argue about the meaning of their existence. They are tempted to enjoy material goods by Pleasure, World, and Worldly Life, and urged to pursue a virtuous life by Counsel, Intellect, and the Guardian Angel. The conflict also includes visions of hell with the appearance of the Damned Souls, and of heaven in the voices of the Blessed Souls and the Angels. Also on the program are two short balletti by Cavalieri and his contemporary Cristofano Malvezzi, composed for the marriage of their patrons Ferdinand II of Medici and Christina of Lorraine. Malvezzi’s piece features thirty voices, divided into seven choirs, creating an auditory climax for this performance.
4:00 pm - St James Place, Gret Barrington, MA
$10 - $75
A pre-concert talk will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Church in Lakeville CT. Crescendo’s Founding Artistic Director Christine Gevert will explain the background of Cavalieri’s Rappresentatione. The talk will also be live streamed on Zoom. www.crescendomusic.org.
Tuesday, May 13
A Health to the Company
Seven Times Salt: Elise Groves, soprano; Corey Dalton Hart, tenor; Karen Burciaga, violin, guitar, alto; Dan Meyers, recorders, flutes, bagpipes, percussion, baritone; David H. Miller, bass viol, baritone; Matthew Wright, lute, cittern, tenor
17th-century London roars to life in this convivial program of tunes for the tavern including jovial drinking songs, love ballads both naughty and nice, and rustic catches for carousing with friends. We imagine an evening in good company at the tavern, by the fireplace, with a favorite beverage in hand. We share tales of pickpockets and punks, wise maids and goodfellows, the wonders of tobacco, the pitfalls of gambling, and the delights of good ale. Between toasts, we contemplate the meaning of life and reflect on unrequited love. Rounding out the evening’s merriment are works by Wilbye, Ravenscroft, and Sumarte, along with our original settings of lively country dances. In this spirit of cheerful musical camaraderie, our program celebrates the joys of gathering with friends.
7:30pm - Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Ave. Watertown, MA
By Donation ($20 suggested)
https://www.seventimessalt.com/concerts
Seven Times Salt: Elise Groves, soprano; Corey Dalton Hart, tenor; Karen Burciaga, violin, guitar, alto; Dan Meyers, recorders, flutes, bagpipes, percussion, baritone; David H. Miller, bass viol, baritone; Matthew Wright, lute, cittern, tenor
17th-century London roars to life in this convivial program of tunes for the tavern including jovial drinking songs, love ballads both naughty and nice, and rustic catches for carousing with friends. We imagine an evening in good company at the tavern, by the fireplace, with a favorite beverage in hand. We share tales of pickpockets and punks, wise maids and goodfellows, the wonders of tobacco, the pitfalls of gambling, and the delights of good ale. Between toasts, we contemplate the meaning of life and reflect on unrequited love. Rounding out the evening’s merriment are works by Wilbye, Ravenscroft, and Sumarte, along with our original settings of lively country dances. In this spirit of cheerful musical camaraderie, our program celebrates the joys of gathering with friends.
7:30pm - Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Ave. Watertown, MA
By Donation ($20 suggested)
https://www.seventimessalt.com/concerts
Friday, May 30
Musical Journeys
Silentwoods Collective
Join SWC for a stirring musical narrative featuring virtuosic solos, explosive concerti, and dramatic arias performed by 10 extraordinary musicians of Silentwoods Collective. Discover enlightenment era composers Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, Ignatius Sancho, Isabella Leonarda, Henry Purcell, Vivaldi, and Handel. Stick around after the show to share your impressions, for refreshments, and to meet the musicians!
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM - Washington Elementary School, 62 Wolf Way (aka 337 Millen Pond Rd)
silentwoodscollective.co
Silentwoods Collective
Join SWC for a stirring musical narrative featuring virtuosic solos, explosive concerti, and dramatic arias performed by 10 extraordinary musicians of Silentwoods Collective. Discover enlightenment era composers Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, Ignatius Sancho, Isabella Leonarda, Henry Purcell, Vivaldi, and Handel. Stick around after the show to share your impressions, for refreshments, and to meet the musicians!
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM - Washington Elementary School, 62 Wolf Way (aka 337 Millen Pond Rd)
silentwoodscollective.co
Saturday, May 31
History Alive Festival
Silentwoods Collective
Learn to Country Dance! - In colonial New England, the single most popular book was the Bible. Second most popular was John Playford’s “English Dancing Master,” first published in 1651. This rich and unbroken tradition of country dancing has indeed been alive and well in New Hampshire since the 1600’s, so join the fun by dropping in our outdoor workshop led by an expert country dance “caller” with live energetic dance music provided by SWC!
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - 590 North Road, Hillsborough NH
Reflections: Early American Music
featuring three internationally renowned musicians: Baritone, Emery Kerekes, violinist, Alyssa Campbell and organist, Nicola Canzano perform selections from “The Songster’s Companion” (published: 1805, Exeter, New Hampshire) and “New England Psalm Singer” (published: 1770, Boston, MA).
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Congregational Church, 614 Center Road, Hillsborough NH
Songs and Ballads of the Revolution: Love, Loss and Dreams of a Better Future
As you venture through Old Hillsborough Center, find your way to the old cemetery by the stables for haunting musical tales of generations past with soprano, Raha Mirzadegan, violinist, Ela Kodzas, and SWC Founder and cellist, Andrew Koutroubas. This 25 minute program will be repeated three times.
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Cemetery opposite Congregational Church, Hillsborough NH
Echoes across the Pond
Wrap up the day at History Alive Festival by joining all the musicians of Silentwoods for a 25 minute program of music by Ignatius Sancho, Henry Purcell, and our very own Nicola Canzano.
4:00 - 4:30 PM - Hillsborough Center Club, 27 East Washington Road, Hillsborough NH
Journeys
Join Silentwoods Collective for “Journeys,” a revelatory period instrument performance! This tour of musicians of the age of enlightenment features Elisabeth Jaquet de la Guerre, Ignatius Sancho, Isabella Leonarda, Henry Purcell, explosive concerti of Vivaldi and dramatic arias by Handel.
7:30 - 9:00 PM - Antrim Town Hall, 66 Main Street, Antrim NH
historyalivenh.org
Silentwoods Collective
Learn to Country Dance! - In colonial New England, the single most popular book was the Bible. Second most popular was John Playford’s “English Dancing Master,” first published in 1651. This rich and unbroken tradition of country dancing has indeed been alive and well in New Hampshire since the 1600’s, so join the fun by dropping in our outdoor workshop led by an expert country dance “caller” with live energetic dance music provided by SWC!
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - 590 North Road, Hillsborough NH
Reflections: Early American Music
featuring three internationally renowned musicians: Baritone, Emery Kerekes, violinist, Alyssa Campbell and organist, Nicola Canzano perform selections from “The Songster’s Companion” (published: 1805, Exeter, New Hampshire) and “New England Psalm Singer” (published: 1770, Boston, MA).
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Congregational Church, 614 Center Road, Hillsborough NH
Songs and Ballads of the Revolution: Love, Loss and Dreams of a Better Future
As you venture through Old Hillsborough Center, find your way to the old cemetery by the stables for haunting musical tales of generations past with soprano, Raha Mirzadegan, violinist, Ela Kodzas, and SWC Founder and cellist, Andrew Koutroubas. This 25 minute program will be repeated three times.
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Cemetery opposite Congregational Church, Hillsborough NH
Echoes across the Pond
Wrap up the day at History Alive Festival by joining all the musicians of Silentwoods for a 25 minute program of music by Ignatius Sancho, Henry Purcell, and our very own Nicola Canzano.
4:00 - 4:30 PM - Hillsborough Center Club, 27 East Washington Road, Hillsborough NH
Journeys
Join Silentwoods Collective for “Journeys,” a revelatory period instrument performance! This tour of musicians of the age of enlightenment features Elisabeth Jaquet de la Guerre, Ignatius Sancho, Isabella Leonarda, Henry Purcell, explosive concerti of Vivaldi and dramatic arias by Handel.
7:30 - 9:00 PM - Antrim Town Hall, 66 Main Street, Antrim NH
historyalivenh.org