Ars Lyrica to Host MUSIC FOR A PRINCESS Concert at St. Philip Presbyterian Church, 11/16

Don a tiara and join Houston's Grammy nominated early music ensemble Ars Lyrica for Music for a Princess, a special concert at St. Philip Presbyterian Church on November 16 at 7:30 pm, featuring works from the storied music library of Princess Anna Amalia of Prussia.

Sister to Frederick the Great of Prussia, Princess Anna Amalia enjoyed the company of the leading musicians of her day, including several former students of J. S. Bach. A fine musician herself, Princess Amalia was drawn toward the most un-feminine of instruments.

"Music for a Princess gives us a great opportunity to play some terrific music while looking closely at a fascinating bit of music history," said Ars Lyrica Artistic Director Matthew Dirst. "Imagine an 18th-century princess in all her finery doing something as physical as playing the organ - which requires not only your hands but both feet!"

Making her Houston debut on this program, organist Annette Richards will be joined by Ars Lyrica string players and artistic director Matthew Dirst in C. P. E. Bach's Concerto in G Major for strings and organ plus several sinfonias by J. S. BacH. Richards, who is University Organist and Professor of Music at Cornell University, has just recorded a CD of organ music from this famed collection on a new German Baroque-style organ at Cornell. Several solo organ works from this recording will also be heard on her program at St Philip.

St. Philip Presbyterian Church houses a large organ in the North German style by Paul Fritts & Co of Tacoma, WA. Installed in 2010, this organ of 48 stops across three manuals and pedal is notable for its variety of beautiful tone colors, sensitive mechanical action, and for its stunning visual and acoustic presence in the renovated St Philip sanctuary.

This program is family-friendly: children dressed in royal costumes (little princes and princesses) will be admitted free with the purchase of an adult ticket (one child per adult). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door at St Philip Presbyterian Church, 4807 San Felipe, Houston 77056 (just west of the 610 West Loop) on the day of the performance.

For more information, visit www.arslyricahouston.org or call 713-622-7443.

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