Houston Early Music Announces 2010-1011 Season

Specializing in music from the Middle Ages through the 18th century, Houston Early Music provides unique programming of world-class concerts performed with historical instruments and with styles true to the period. This season proves to be even more scintillating, as Houston Early Music, one of the nation's oldest early-music organizations, brings more of the world's finest period ensembles and soloists to Houston audiences.

The Route to the New World: Spain to Mexico
The series opens with the long-awaited Houston debut of Jordi Savall, acclaimed icon in early music pedagogy, research and performance. "Houston Early Music is pleased for the opportunity to join Da Camera of Houston in bringing this early music superstar to Houston," said Nancy Ellis, artistic director of Houston Early Music. This special performance of Savall, along with award-winning ensembles and artists, commemorates the celebration of the 200th year of Mexican Independence. The Route to the New World: Spain to Mexico is a journey in musical dialogue from Old Spain to the New World, featuring extraordinary music from Baroque composers of Old Spain, the Mexican Baroque and living huasteca and jarocho traditions. This collaboration of Savall's own renowned Hespèrion XXI with soprano Montserrat Figueras and La Capella Reial de Catalunya with Mexico's Ensemble Tembembe exudes with brilliance. Join the celebration on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at the Cullen Theater at Wortham Center. You don't want to miss this.

A Piper's Noël
Ciaramella brings to Houston THE holiday concert of the season on Monday, December 13, 2010. "This exciting young group is made up of some of the finest wind instrumentalists in early music," said Ellis. Christ Church Cathedral will resound with the beautiful blending of voice, shawm, sackbut, recorder, and bagpipes, when this award-winning mixed ensemble tantalizes with a range of music from humble piper's tunes to Renaissance polyphony. A Piper's Noël celebrates the annunciation to the shepherds and the Christmas music they inspired. Bagpipes transcend through medieval carols of England, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany to present-day celebrations in Rome's Piazza Navona. Director Adam Gilbert will share historical insight in a pre-concert lecture. "A gorgeously woven fabric of works for winds and voices...They bring old music to alluring life." -Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The Harmony of Nations
English violinist and conductor Monica Huggett is one of the foremost Baroque violinists of our time and founder of Trio Sonnerie. "We have featured the remarkable Monica Huggett on several past seasons," said Ellis. "It is a pleasure to welcome this extraordinary violinist back to Houston. She's a favorite with Houston Early Music audiences." The stellar Trio Sonnerie brings from the UK a contrasting program, including one of Biber's astonishing Mystery Sonatas for virtuoso violin, exquisitely refined French music for viola da gamba, sprightly tunes from Jacobean England, and a magnificent sonata for violin and harpsichord by J.S. Bach. Considered one of the most imaginative, flexible and dynamic period instrumental ensembles, they have versatility to expand from a trio of violin, viola da gamba and keyboard into a full chamber orchestra. Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church hosts The Harmony of Nations on Monday, March 28, 2011. Dr. Gregory Barnett of Rice University's Shepherd School of Music will offer a pre-concert lecture.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII
The season finale offers the return of internationally acclaimEd Flanders Recorder Quartet, with guest appearance by soprano Cecile Kempenaers. This mixed ensemble of recorder quartet, voice and narrator presents a fresh and exhilarating rendition of The Six Wives of Henry VIII, including contemporary music by award-winning Belgian composer Piet Swert. Complete with medieval and improvised music, a scene from Shakespeare, letters from King Henry and Anne Boleyn, and original verse written specifically for this project, the overall result is an eventful and fascinating telling of a familiar story. "Don't miss our unique season finale honoring a king who was actually an accomplished musician himself," said Ellis. Set for Trinity Episcopal Church on Monday, May 2, 2011. Thomas Crowe of University of St. Thomas will present a pre-concert lecture.

Season Subscriptions
A Houston Early Music season subscription provides tickets to all four concerts, including the specially priced Jordi Savall concert co-produced with Da Camera of Houston. Rates are $130 for general admission and $100 for seniors. To purchase season tickets, please visit
www.HoustonEarlyMusic.org for a subscription form.

Individual Tickets
Individual tickets for Ciaramella, Trio Sonnerie and Flanders Recorder Quartet, are available at the door and online at www.HoustonEarlyMusic.org and are $35 for general admission, $30 for seniors and $10 for students (with student ID). Free admission for children under 15. For information about individual tickets and student prices for the Jordi Savall concert, please contact Da Camera of Houston at www.dacamera.com.

All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. with lectures at 6:45, as noted. For more information about Houston Early Music, please visit www.HoustonEarlyMusic.org, e-mail info@HoustonEarlyMusic.org or call 713-432-1744.

SEASON OVERVIEW:

Saturday, October 2, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
200th Anniversary of Mexican Independence
In collaboration with Da Camera of Houston

JORDI SAVALL - The Route to the New World: Spain to Mexico
Cullen Theater, Wortham Center
501 Texas Ave
Houston, Texas 77002

Monday, December 13, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
CIARAMELLA - A Piper's Noël
Christ Church Cathedral
1117 Texas Ave.
Houston, Texas 77002

Monday, March 28, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
TRIO SONNERIE - The Harmony of Nations
Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church
6221 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77030

Monday, May 2, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
FLANDERS RECORDER QUARTET - The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Trinity Episcopal Church
1015 Holman @ Main
Houston, Texas 77004

ABOUT HOUSTON EARLY MUSIC
One of the nation's oldest early-music organizations, and as the city's only presenting organization dedicated to covering the large historical span of early music in all of its forms, Houston Early Music epitomizes a movement that has swept the world of classical music. Officially incorporated in 1969, the nonprofit provides performance opportunities for up-and-coming and major early music artists from around the world in an annual concert series. A successful and growing educational outreach program introduces a future generation to a broad range of music. Houston Early Music is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance and by Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts.

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