Chatham Baroque, Inc. Announces 2018/19 Concert Season

For 27 years, Chatham Baroque has been performing on stages throughout the world and establishing itself as one of the nation's most distinguished period ensembles. For nearly 50 years, fellow Pittsburgh company Renaissance & Baroque has presented exceptional performances of music from the Middle Ages through the Early Classical period by world-renowned artists. Uniting the missions of these two celebrated organizations, Chatham Baroque, Inc. presents an exciting 2018/2019 concert season featuring parallel and complementary concert series that brings the very best in early music to Pittsburgh audiences.

CHATHAM BAROQUE'S PITTSBURGH CONCERT SERIES

Vivaldi's Four Seasons

Friday, Sep. 21, 7:30 PM, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair

Saturday, Sep. 22, 8:00 PM, Synod Hall, Oakland

Sunday, Sep. 23, 2:30 PM, Campbell Memorial Chapel, Chatham University

In its 28th season, Chatham Baroque at last presents Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," one of the most globally popular and beloved works from the Baroque period. Accompanied by the original poetry, these iconic works vividly paint diverse scenes of country life in all sorts of weather with wondrous virtuosity and technical wizardry. With: Cynthia Black and Alice Culin-Ellison (violins); Kristen Linfante (viola); J. Tracy Mortimore (double bass); and Justin Wallace (harpsichord).

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The Art of the Trio

Friday, Nov. 9, 7:30 PM, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair

Saturday, Nov. 10, 8:00 PM, East Liberty Presbyterian Church Chapel, East Liberty

Sunday, Nov. 11, 2:30 PM, Campbell Memorial Chapel, Chatham University

The three artistic directors of Chatham Baroque have begun their second decade together as a trio. Each season, they celebrate their friendship and years of collaboration with a program showcasing their full range of musical expression and command of their respective instruments.

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Alegría: Christmas Music from Spain and the New World

Friday, Dec. 14, 7:30 PM, St. Nicholas Church, Millvale

Saturday, Dec. 15, 8:00 PM, Synod Hall, Oakland

Sunday, Dec. 16, 2:30 PM, Campbell Memorial Chapel, Chatham University

Chatham Baroque's holiday program explores music of Baroque Spain and the New World. Nell Snaidas (soprano) and Raquel Winnica Young (mezzo soprano) will charm and dazzle as they sing in their native Spanish, extolling the joys of the season as expressed through the unique music of Hispanic Colonial times. With:Danny Mallon (percussion).

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Cupid's Harp

Friday, Feb. 15, 7:30 PM, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair

Saturday, Feb. 16, 8:00 PM, Synod Hall, Oakland

Sunday, Feb. 17, 2:30 PM, Campbell Memorial Chapel, Chatham University

Tenor Aaron Sheehan returns to Chatham Baroque's stage along with baroque harpist Christa Patton for a love-filled program of music from Italy and England. Songs by Dowland, Purcell and Monteverdi are sure to make you swoon. The unconventional combination of violin, gamba, harp and theorbo gives life to the rarely-heard Harp Consorts by William Lawes.

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From Battles to Ballets

Friday, April 5, 7:30 PM, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair

Saturday, April 6, 8:00 PM, Synod Hall, Oakland

Sunday, April 7, 2:30 PM, Campbell Memorial Chapel, Chatham University

In Memory of Emily Norman Davidson

This program of 17th-century music by Heinrich Biber, Philipp Jakob Rittler, and Johann Heinrich Schmelzer deploys a veritable army of musicians. A band of two baroque trumpets, nine strings, continuo, and percussion explores the exhilarating, programmatic music of armed conflict known as battalia, in contrast with the beauty and charm of baroque dance as portrayed in whimsical balletti. With: Shelby Lewis and Chris Carrillo (natural trumpets); Evan Few, Kristen Linfante and Paul Miller (violins and violas); Adam Pearl (harpsichord & organ); and Danny Mallon (percussion).

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RENAISSANCE & BAROQUE 50th CONCERT SERIES

The Rose Ensemble

Land of the Three Faiths: Voices of Ancient Mediterranean Jews, Christians and Muslims

Saturday, Oct. 6, 8:00 PM, Synod Hall, Oakland

The Rose Ensemble's "Land of Three Faiths" program explores with audiences the rich musical, cultural, and linguistic exchanges and collaborations that took place among people of different faith traditions in medieval Spain. The result of years of intensive research and training, "Land of Three Faiths" is at once sacred, secular, folk and classical. Featuring instruments and musical ideas that blur the lines between Arabic and European, this entertaining and enlightening program achieves a perfect balance of edgy improvisation, diverse vocal styles and ancient traditions.

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Jaap ter Linden & David Breitman

Beethoven: The Music for Piano & Cello

Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:00 PM, Synod Hall, Oakland

This is a rare chance to hear Beethoven's music played on instruments of his time. Jaap ter Linden, although famous as a baroque cellist, has always been a fervent Beethovenian. His mastery on gut strings is perfectly paired with the keyboard work of historical fortepiano expert David Breitman. This all-Beethoven program will include two contrasting cello sonatas, a charming set of variations, and the late Bagatelles op. 126 for solo fortepiano.

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Ayreheart

Centuries Collide

Saturday, Jan. 12, 8:00 PM, Synod Hall, Oakland

Grammy-nominated lutenist Ronn McFarlane founded Ayreheart in 2010 out of the desire to write new music for the lute - the most popular instrument of the Renaissance - and make it accessible to a wider audience. With versatile musicians Willard Morris and Mattias Rucht rounding out the trio, Ayreheart presents original music that reflects elements of Celtic, Folk, Bluegrass and Renaissance music. In addition to the concert, Ayreheart will be guests at Chatham Baroque's Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions for preschoolers and their grownups (see below).

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ACRONYM

From Venice to Vienna

Saturday, March 23, 8:00 PM, Calvary Episcopal Church, Shadyside

Hailed by Early Music America as "groundbreaking, gutsy and fresh," ACRONYM explores the cross-fertilization of 17th-century musical styles between the masters of Venice and Vienna, as well as the subsequent transmission of these ideas by German and Austrian composers throughout Europe. This program with 11 superb players includes favorites from ACRONYM's first five recordings: works by Pruili, Valentini, Bertali, Capricornus, Pezel, and Rosenmuller. A not-to-be-missed first appearance on the R&B series.

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Quicksilver

Stile Moderno: New music from 17th-century Italy

Saturday, April 28, 8:00 PM, Synod Hall, Oakland

Quicksilver's "Stile Moderno" examines modern music as it was invented by virtuoso instrumental composers in 17th-century Italy. It is also an exploration of those composers' new invention, the sonata: a pure instrumental work, with no agenda but the imagination of the composer. Led by co-directors and violin virtuosi Julie Andrijeski and Robert Mealy, this program of "new music" is virtuosic, experimental, unexpected, and deeply moving. Featuring music by Castello, Fontana, Merula, Marini and more.

Tickets for individual concerts range from $10-$35. Subscriptions are available for the Chatham Baroque series, the Renaissance & Baroque series or both - attend five or ten concerts at substantial savings. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit http://chathambaroque.org

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