Michigan s Presenter of Early Classical Music

Transcription

1 Michigan s Presenter of Early Classical Music

2 SEASON AT A GL ANCE CONCERTS 2017 Echoing Air SEPT 15 SEPT 16 Bloomfield Hills Ann Arbor Paul O Dette and NOV 10 NOV 11 Ronn McFarlane Bloomfield Hills Ann Arbor 2018 L Invenzione JAN 19 JAN 20 Bloomfield Hills Ann Arbor The Sebastians FEB 23 FEB 24 Bloomfield Hills Ann Arbor Piffaro MAR 16 MAR 17 Bloomfield Hills Ann Arbor Visit us online at LIKE the Academy of Early Music on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest announcements, interact with other concertgoers, view concert pictures, and receive exclusive offers.

3 WELCOME TO OUR 37 TH SEASON The Academy of Early Music is pleased to announce our season of exciting concerts, featuring Renaissance and Baroque favorites and discoveries! We celebrate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther s Reformation with sacred music of the German Reformation, revel in the legacy of Naples once capital of the musical world and explore how composers of different nationalities interpreted High Baroque trio sonatas. We welcome back favorite performers from previous seasons: lutenist Ronn McFarlane in a dueling lutes program with Paul O Dette, and the Renaissance Band Piffaro s unique mix of double reeds,recorders, brass, harp, and bagpipes. Join this celebration of the best in Renaissance and Baroque music, presented by world-class early music ensembles in intimate settings, where concertgoers can enjoy the artists close-up and meet them after our concerts. Cover photo courtesy of John Rollins, luthier (jrlutes.wordpress.com)

4 WHAT IS EARLY MUSIC? Early music is a repertoire that spans nearly 1,000 years, from around AD. It was composed as art music for royalty and wealthy patrons, as integral parts of religious services, and as entertainment for those living in cities and the countryside. It was the soundtrack for everyday life. Early music is also a manner of performance. It is an attempt to reacquaint our world with this soundtrack as it was originally heard. Performers who specialize in early music use period instruments and employ the techniques and styles that the composer envisioned when the music was written. Their performances bring out a passion, intensity, and excitement in this music that sounds fresh to our ears. Early music comes from a time in which the seeds of the modern world were sown. It is a gateway to that past, and those who experience it gain a new perspective on our present. Early music provides context to our world. Early music provides understanding. The Academy s concert series is the only one in Michigan that is dedicated exclusively to early music, with performances featuring nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. Presented in intimate settings that foster communication between artists and audiences, Academy performances allow listeners to revisit the past through a journey that helps frame the present. Along the way, audiences are introduced to music beautiful, inspiring, and timeless music written by some of the greatest composers who ever lived.

5 ECHOING AIR Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott: Music of the German Reformation October 2017 marks half a millennium since Martin Luther launched the Protestant Reformation, with its profound effect not only on theology and the church but also on culture, science, business, politics, language, and education. To commemorate this 500th anniversary, Baroque ensemble Echoing Air opens the Academy s season with sacred music of the German Reformation. Their program includes motets and sonatas by Schütz, Buxtehude, Rosenmüller, Becker, and Schein, with texts in German and Latin. Founded by countertenor Steven Rickards (formerly of Chanticleer, the American Bach Soloists, and Paul Hillier s Theatre of Voices), Echoing Air features the unusual combination of two countertenors accompanied by recorders, viola da gamba, and harpsichord. Members of the ensemble have performed with Apollo s Fire, Folger Consort, Tafelmusik, Ensemble Voltaire, Huelgas Ensemble, Musica Antiqua Köln, and Les Arts Florissants. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 8 PM Congregational Church of Birmingham Bloomfield Hills SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 8 PM St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Ann Arbor $30 General / $35 At Door $25 Seniors / $30 At Door $10 Students / $15 At Door *Advance ticket prices end one week before concert

6 PAUL O DETTE & RONN MCFARLANE The High Art of Dueling Lutes! The lute was the most beloved solo instrument of the Renaissance, and lutenists often doubled the pleasure by performing as duos. A large repertoire of exciting lute duets survives from throughout Europe, with the pinnacle of this art in Italy and England. The leading duet performers cultivated a style where the two players challenged each other by trading passages back and forth with increasingly dazzling feats of virtuosity. This colorfully varied program consists of dances, fantasias, ornamented madrigals, and exciting variations on popular ballad tunes. Paul O Dette has been described as the clearest case of genius ever to touch his instrument (Toronto Globe and Mail). He has made more than 140 recordings, and is artistic director of the Boston Early Music Festival. Grammy -nominated lutenist Ronn McFarlane, a frequent and welcome performer on Academy of Early Music programs, strives to bring the lute into today s musical mainstream and gain it a wider audience. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 8 PM Congregational Church of Birmingham Bloomfield Hills SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 8 PM St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Ann Arbor $30 General / $35 At Door $25 Seniors / $30 At Door $10 Students / $15 At Door *Advance ticket prices end one week before concert

7 TICKET ORDER FORM Season Subscription - $115 Save 23% over General Admission Pricing! Available until September 8th Purchase tickets to all five performances and pay just $23.00 for each concert. Subscriptions available for Ann Arbor and Bloomfield Hills Locations. Available until one week before first concert of the season (Fri., September 8, 2017). Have a conflict? Subscribers may exchange tickets for performance by same artist at other venue. Individual Tickets: Advance Purchase Discount Individual Tickets are $30 General Admission ($35 at door), $25 Seniors/60+ ($30 at door), and $10 Students ($15 at door). Advance purchase tickets are available until one week before each performance. How To Purchase Tickets By Mail By Telephone Online In Person At the Door Mail order form along with payment to the Academy of Early Music, PO Box 7694, Ann Arbor, MI Order tickets using your credit card by calling the Academy at (734) Because the Academy is staffed only part-time, please leave a message if there is no answer. We will return your call as soon as possible, usually the same day. There is no service fee for telephone orders. Visit our website, to order tickets using your credit card. A small service fee is added to each order. Tickets to Ann Arbor concerts may be purchased at Bookbound in the Courtyard Shops,1729 Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor. Available beginning July 15. Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance, or 15 minutes prior to the start of the pre-concert lecture when offered. The Academy accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.

8 TICKET ORDER FORM Please remove order form from booklet and mail with payment to: The Academy of Early Music PO Box 7694 Ann Arbor, MI Enter quantity per date/ticket type General $30 Senior (60+) $25* Student $10* Total $ Echoing Air (Bloomfield Hills) Fri, Sept 15, 2017 Echoing Air (Ann Arbor) Sat, Sept 16, 2017 Paul O Dette & Ronn McFarlane (Bloomfield Hills) Fri, Nov 10, 2017 Paul O Dette & Ronn McFarlane (Ann Arbor) Sat, Nov 11, 2017 L Invenzione (Bloomfield Hills) Fri, Jan 19, 2018 L Invenzione (Ann Arbor) Sat, Jan 20, 2018 The Sebastians (Bloomfield Hills) Fri, Feb 23, 2018 The Sebastians (Ann Arbor) Sat, Feb 24, 2018 Piffaro (Bloomfield Hills) Fri, Mar 16, 2018 Piffaro (Ann Arbor) Sat, Mar 17, 2018 Season Subscription (available until Sept. 8) (save up to $35) Ann Arbor Bloomfield Hills * Identification proving eligibility for discount may be required for admission. Order Total

9 SUPPORT THE ACADEMY OF EARLY MUSIC Ticket sales only cover about 40% of our total costs. Please show your support for early music in our region by making a financial contribution to the Academy of Early music today. Our donors help us deliver outstanding performances of early music to Southeast Michigan. As our way of saying thank you, donors now enjoy new benefits during the season. Order Total Tax-deductible Contribution* Donor Giving Levels Medici Court $10,000+ Sforza Court $5,000 $9,999 Gonzaga Court $2,500 $4,999 Barberini Court $1,000 $2,499 Donor Benefits Advocate $500 $999 Benefactor $250 $499 Associate $100 $249 Friend $30 $99 Total Enclosed IMPORTANT! Please complete mailing information on back. Friend Level: Printed recognition in season program book (when received by September 1, 2017) Associate Level: Friend Benefit plus Reserved Seating* Benefactor Level: Associate Benefits plus an invitation to the Season Opening Party and concert afterglows when offered. Please indicate how you would like to be recognized in our concert programs. Name I would like my contribution to remain anonymous. *Donor benefits for expire on June 30, *Up to 2 seats in reserved section; reserved section released five minutes before start of performance; non-transferable. The Academy of Early Music is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contributions is tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.

10 MAILING INFORMATION Name Address City State Zip Phone New Address or Telephone I do not wish to receive announcements. Ticket Policies Delivery Tickets for will be mailed beginning in mid-august. Will Call Tickets purchased within 7 days of the performance will be held at the Will Call table. Ticket Refunds Because Academy concerts are live events, artists, programs, dates, times, and venues are subject to change. No refunds permitted, except for event cancellation. Service fees are not refundable. Season subscribers may exchange tickets for performance by same artist at other venue. Ticket Donation Ticket holders who are unable to attend a concert may donate their unused ticket(s) up to four hours before the concert by contacting the Academy at info@ academyofearlymusic.org. Lost or Misplaced Tickets Please contact the Academy at info@ academyofearlymusic.org at least four hours prior to the performance to have duplicate tickets waiting for you at will call. Venue Details Arrival Time - Doors open 45 minutes prior to the start of the performance, or 15 minutes prior to the start of the pre-concert lecture. Will call tickets can be picked up at that time. Seating - Tickets are open seating, with the exception of donors at the Associate level or higher, who receive up to 2 seats in the reserved seating section (non-transferable). Late Seating - Audience members who arrive after the performance begins will be asked to remain in the lobby until a piece is over. At the end of the piece, patrons will be granted access into the performance area. CDs & Merchandise - CDs, DVDs, and other merchandise for the evening s featured artists are often available for sale in the lobby before and after the performance, as well as during intermission.the Academy accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Prices for merchandise vary. Accessibility - Ann Arbor: Handicapped parking available in the back of St. Andrew s church. The church is wheelchair accessible through the Sanctuary s north entrance. Bloomfield Hills: The main entrance is wheelchair accessible and handicapped parking is available in front of the church. Both venues: Large print versions of program notes are available upon request. Children Please use discretion when bringing small children to performances. Children under 3 are not permitted and children ages 3 6 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Parents or guardians may be asked to remove children who disturb others.

11 L INVENZIONE The Musical Legacy of Naples Celebrating the flowering of early music performance practice in Michigan, we welcome Ensemble l Invenzione: Eloy Cortinez (recorder), Mary Riccardi (Baroque violin), Phoebe Gelzer-Govatos (Baroque violin), Debra Lonergan (Baroque cello), and Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra (harpsichord). Founded in 2016, l Invenzione takes its name from the Italian word for invention: the art of spontaneously developing independent melodic lines that, combined together, create a living musical whole. With its seven renowned conservatories, a bustling opera scene and world-class composers, Naples produced an incredible musical legacy whose richness is still being uncovered today. I Invenzione s program draws on the wonderfully rich music of 17th and 18th-century Naples, the undisputed capital of the musical world of that time. The ensemble performs concertos and sonatas by Alessandro Scarlatti, Francesco Mancini, Giovanni Battista Mele, Roberto Valentini, and Nicola Fiorenza. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19 8 PM Congregational Church of Birmingham Bloomfield Hills SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 8 PM St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Ann Arbor $30 General / $35 At Door $25 Seniors / $30 At Door $10 Students / $15 At Door *Advance ticket prices end one week before concert

12 THE SEBASTIANS Les Nations: High Baroque Trio Sonatas Lauded as everywhere sharp-edged and engaging (The New York Times), the Sebastians have been praised for their well-thought-out articulation and phrasing (Early Music Review) and elegant string playing immaculate in tuning and balance (Early Music Today). Their debut album was praised for the ensemble s beautifully-nuanced playing and thoughtful expressivity. Winners of the Audience Prize at the 2012 Early Music America Baroque Performance Competition, the Sebastians were also finalists in the 2011 York International Early Music Competition and the 2011 Early Music America/ Naxos Recording Competition. Their program of High Baroque trio sonatas explores the variety of styles used by composers of different nationalities. Built around François Couperin s Les Nations, it will include works by Arcangelo Corelli, William Boyce, and George Frederic Handel, ending with the Sebastians signature rendition of Antonio Vivaldi s Folia. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 8 PM Congregational Church of Birmingham Bloomfield Hills SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 8 PM St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Ann Arbor $30 General / $35 At Door $25 Seniors / $30 At Door $10 Students / $15 At Door *Advance ticket prices end one week before concert

13 PIFFARO This presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Crane Group. Back Before Bach Piffaro: The Renaissance Band returns to southeastern Michigan with their unique mix of double reeds, recorders, brass, harp, and bagpipes to bring a delightful program from Germany and the Low Countries. Back before Bach presents two centuries of wind band instruments and music, including chants set to Renaissance polyphony by Heinrich Isaac, Stephan Mahu and Johann Walther, hymns and chorale settings by Martin Luther, Michael Praetorius, and Bach himself, virtuosic instrumental displays on popular tunes by Jakob Obrecht, Antoine Brumel, and Ludwig Senfl, and chromaticism by Orlande de Lassus and Jakob Handl. It s a well-thought program from start to finish, intelligent in selection, and fabulous in performance... scrapes away for audiences a bit of the patina overlaying the old conservative J.S. Bach and reveals the remarkable world around him that he worked so hard to synthesize. (Seattle Star) FRIDAY, MARCH 16 8 PM Congregational Church of Birmingham Bloomfield Hills SATURDAY, MARCH 17 8 PM St. Andrew s Episcopal Church Ann Arbor $30 General / $35 At Door $25 Seniors / $30 At Door $10 Students / $15 At Door *Advance ticket prices end one week before concert

14 CONCERT INFORMATION Ticket Policies Delivery Tickets for will be mailed beginning in mid-august. Will Call Tickets purchased within 7 days of the performance will be held at the Will Call table for pick-up. Ticket Refunds Because Academy concerts are live events, artists, programs, dates, times, and venues are subject to change. No refunds permitted, except for event cancellation. Service fees are not refundable. Season subscribers may exchange tickets for performance by same artist at other venue. Ticket Donation Ticket holders who are unable to attend a concert may donate their unused ticket(s) up to four hours before the concert by contacting the Academy at info@academyofearlymusic.org. Lost or Misplaced Tickets Please contact the Academy at info@academyofearlymusic.org at least four hours prior to the performance to have duplicate tickets waiting for you at will call. Venue Details Arrival Time Seating Late Seating CDs & Merchandise Accessibility Doors open 45 minutes prior to the start of the performance, or 15 minutes prior to the start of the pre-concert lecture. Will Call tickets may be picked up at that time. Tickets are open seating. Audience members who arrive after the performance begins will be asked to remain in the lobby until a piece is over. At the end of the piece, patrons will be granted access into the performance area. CDs, DVDs, and other merchandise for the evening s featured artists are often available for sale in the lobby before and after the performance, as well as during intermission.the Academy accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.prices for merchandise vary. Ann Arbor: Handicapped parking available in the back of St. Andrew s church. The church is wheelchair accessible through the Sanctuary s north entrance. Bloomfield Hills: The main entrance is wheelchair accessible and handicapped parking is available in front of the church. Both venues: Large print versions of program notes are available upon request. Children Please use discretion when bringing small children to performances. Children under 3 are not permitted and children ages 3 6 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Parents or guardians may be asked to remove children who disturb others.

15 VENUES St. Andrew s Episcopal Church 306 N. Division St., Ann Arbor Parking: Parking is available at the Liberty Square Parking Garage, three blocks south of St. Andrew s at 510 E. Washington Street. Flat rate of $3 after 3 p.m. Some free parking spaces are available in the Community High School lot, across the street from the church. Enter via 5th Avenue and Detroit Street. The St. Andrew s parking lot is available only for handicapped parking during Academy events. Enter via Catherine Street. 5th Ave. Parking Detroit St. Community High School Walkway Catherine St. Division St. Lawrence St. St. Andrew s Handicapped Parking Only Ann St. Huron St. Washington St. Liberty Square Parking Garage 510 E. Washington Congregational Church of Birmingham 1000 Cranbrook Rd., Bloomfield Hills Parking: Free parking is available in the lot in front of the church. U-Turn for NB Woodward Tamarack Way Cranbrook Rd Woodward Ave Congregational Church of Birmingham Parking

16 PO Box 7694 Ann Arbor, MI ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Presenting a Full Series of 5 Concerts in Ann Arbor and Bloomfield Hills. DETAILS INSIDE