Organist of BRUNELLESCHI'S DOME Lucia Baldacci Makes American Debut at The Church of the Transfiguration Today

The completion of The Duomo of Florence in 1436 marked a milestone in architectural history, while the structure later served as a focal point for several great composers.

With this program, we welcome an organist of "Brunelleschi's Dome," as she makes her New York and American debut with a program of works associated with Santa Maria del Fiore. Repertoire will include works of Frescobaldi, Zipoli, and others.

This concert is co-presented and co-produced by The Church of the Transfiguration.

Today, November 17th
3:00pm
The Church of the Transfiguration
1 East 29th Street

By subway: 1, N/R, or 6 to 28th Street; B/D/F/M to Herald Square
By bus: M1, M2, M3, M5, M6, M7

For reservations, call 1 888 718-4253 or go to http://www.salonsanctuary.org
Tickets $25 - $35

Program

Guillaume Dufay (1400-1474)
Tibi, Christe, splendor patris

Girolamo Frescobaldi
(1583-1643)
Aria di Fiorenza

From Fiori Musicali
Toccata avanti la Messa della Madonna, Kyrie, Christe
Toccata per l'Elevazione

From Secondo libro delle Toccate
Toccata VII

Domenico Zipoli (1688-1726)
From Sonate d'Intavolatura per Organo e Cembalo
Pastorale
Al Post Comunio
All'Elevazione
All'Offertorio

Anonimo pistoiese (sec. XVIII)
Elevazione
Offertorio Pastorale

Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
Sonata in si minore K.87

Giuseppe Gherardeschi (1759-1815)
Fuga

Gherardo Gherardeschi (1835-1905)
Elevatione

Girolamo Frescobaldi
From Secondo libro delle Toccate
Toccata V

Organist and native Florentine Lucia Baldacci has served as organist to the Cathedral of S. Maria del Fiore, known to us as "The Duomo," since 2010. She also serves as organist at the historic Orsanmichele, and since 2009, has maintained the same position at S. Maria Maggiore. Other Florentine churches where she serves as organist and choir director include the church of S. Pietro a Careggi, and the Abbazia S. Salvatore and S. Lorenzo a Settimo.

As Artistic Director and curator, she helmed the concert season I Maggi Fiorentini, La Tradizione in Musica al Giardino Bardini, participating also as a pianist, harpsichordist and ensemble director. In 2008, she founded the Summer Organ Festival L'Organo: Voce dell'Anima, housed to the Florentine church B. V. Madre Maria della Divina Providenzia. Frequently invited to play in international festivals, her appearances include the Christmas Concerts of the Organ Italian Music Academy of Pistoia (Italy); the organ festival Italiaanse Herfst in the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam; the Estate Figlinese: Armonie Musicali housed to the collegiate church of Figline Valdarno (Italy); the International Organ Festival in Valdera (Italy).

As a collaborator with German violinist and curator Michael Stüve and the ensemble Musica Ricercata, she plays organ and harpsichord. In 2009, Stüve, his ensemble and the American soprano Jessica Gould joined Ms. Baldacci for a performance of French and English baroque repertoire at the Library of the San Marco Museum in Florence. With the same artists, Baldacci organized a music concert (soprano, violin and organ)The Sacred in Music: From Renaissance to Baroque, held in the church of S. Donnino to Campi Bisenzio (Florence) in 2011.

Her interest in historical-musical research has led to regular invitations to give lectures for historic city institutions. Most recently, she was invited by the Società di San Giovanni Battista to give a performance lecture, Passione di un Nobile Mecenate: La Musica e il Gran Principe Ferdinando, or Passion of a Noble Patron: The Music and the Grand Prince Ferdinand.

Ms. Baldacci started piano studies at the age of 7 and continued with Alberto Alinari at the Cesena Conservatory, and graduated in piano, harpsichord, organ and organ composition from the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory of Florence. Numerous concerts include appearances as both soloist and collaborative organist, harpsichordist and pianist, as well as choral director. She has performed in master classes in piano, harpsichord and organ performance in Italy and abroad (France, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands) with Bruno Canino, Matthew Imbruno, Stefano Innocenti, Christopher Stembridge, Jean-Claude Zehnder, Guy Bovet, Ghielmi Lorenzo, Jose Luis Gonzalez Uriol, and Andrea Marcon.

Ms. Baldacci is married to the Art Historian Giovanni Guidetti.

Founded in October 1848, The Church of the Transfiguration is one of the most famous Episocopal parishes in the United States. For more than 160 years, The Church of the Transfiguration has been known for its inclusivity - welcoming individuals from all races, classes, sexual orientations, and other backgrounds. Established on what had been the outskirts of New York City in the mid-19th century, the church today is a visible worshipping community near the geographic center of Manhattan.

The Church of the Transfiguration was founded by the Rev. George Hendric Houghton, sometimes called one of the Saints of the American Church, who served as its rector for 49 years. In his ministry to those in need, he sheltered escaped slaves as part of the Underground Railroad and African-American families during the Draft Riots of the Civil War and welcomed members of the theater profession, something not common at the time.

The Church of the Transfiguration is often called "The Little Church Around the Corner." The nickname dates back to 1870, when Joseph Jefferson - famous for his portrayal of Rip Van Winkle on stage - had requested a funeral at another church for his fellow actor and friend, George Holland. Upon learning that the deceased had been an actor, the priest refused. At the time, many considered actors to be unworthy of Christian burial. After some prodding by Jefferson, the priest suggested that "There is a little church around the corner where it might be done." Jefferson responded, "Then I say to you, sir, God bless the little church around the corner."

To this day, The Church of the Transfiguration maintains close ties to the theater. The church has served as the national headquarters of the Episcopal Actors' Guild since its founding in 1923, by the third Rector, Dr. Randolph Ray. The church itself was designated a United States Landmark for Church and Theater in 1973.

Our historic buildings and lovely garden have drawn couples from all over the world to be married here. These couples are members of the "Little Family," and many have continued to stay in touch with us over the years. Continuing its long tradition of inclusiveness, the "Little Church" celebrated the first same-sex wedding in the Diocese of New York in July 2012 and is proud to have performed several since the formal rite of Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant was adopted by the General Convention.

Founded by Artistic Director and Soprano Jessica Gould in 2009, Salon/Sanctuary Concerts offers the special chance to hear pre-Romantic music in intimate venues that complement the historical context of the repertoire. Pleased to present special projects that cast alight on historical issues throughthe prism of music, Salon/Sanctuary takes pride in many special interdisciplinary performances featuring luminaries from the worlds of opera, theater, film, and dance. The series has garnered critical praise for its innovative programming, and continues to attract a diverse audience for its path breaking offerings.

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