Mercury Baroque Announces 11th Season

From Bach to Beethoven, Handel to Haydn, Mercury Baroque's 11th Season promises to be spectacular. Entitled "Forward into the Past," the season celebrates Mercury Baroque's continuing odyssey to rediscover the musical masterpieces of the past and re-introduce them to audiences through performances of passion, quality and virtuosity. Highlights include a guest appearance by internationally renowned violinist Monica Huggett, Handel's dramatic opera Rodelinda and Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony. For the first time, Mercury Baroque is proud to add a 7th program to its subscription series at the Wortham Center this season. This is in direct response to the rapidly growing attendance the orchestra has enjoyed in the last several seasons. Subscriptions go on sale to the public in April. For more information, visit www.MercuryBaroque.org or call (713) 533-0080.

The 11th season begins on Saturday, September 3rd at 8:00pm with Mozart Under the Stars, an all-Mozart program featuring his Eine Kleine Nacht Musik, Serenata Notturna and a Divertimento for strings. Held at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, this performance is free to attend and seating is first-come, first-serve. Last season's free performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre drew record breaking crowds for Mercury Baroque with over 4,000 people in attendance.

Opening the season at the Wortham Center's Cullen Theater on Saturday, October 8th is a special performance of Bach's Goldberg Variations entitled Encyclopedia Bach-tanica. Originally composed in 1741 for a solo keyboard instrument, this set of 30 variations upon a single theme is considered one of the finest in music history for its almost encyclopedic use of the different musical styles, characters and dance rhythms popular in the Baroque period.

On Saturday, November 19th, Mercury Baroque performs Handel's powerfully dramatic opera Rodelinda. A story of love, exile, power and politics, Rodelinda is recognized as one of Handel's greatest operas. Set in three acts, Rodelinda follows the story of Bertarido, exiled King of Lombardy, in his attempt to fake his own death, sneak into Milan in disguise, restore his throne and rescue his wife and son. The music of Rodelinda has been renowned for its depth and ability to portray the psychological complexities of each character. Mercury Baroque will perform the opera in an un-staged, concert version in order to highlight its musical mastery.

Holidays aren't complete without Handel's Messiah. Though originally written as an Easter oratorio, the Messiah has become one of the world's most beloved holiday traditions. Audiences are invited to join the music making during Mercury Baroque's Sing-Along Messiah on Friday, December 9th. All are welcome to experience the power of singing in a mass choir of hundreds of fellow audience members. No singing experience is necessary. In addition to the Sing-Along performance, Mercury Baroque will perform the complete and original ‘Dublin' version of the Messiah on Saturday, December 10th.

Haydn's "Farewell" Symphony is famous for its unusual ending in which orchestra musicians depart the stage one by one, leaving only two muted violins to finish the symphony. The piece was originally written for Haydn's long-time patron Prince Esterhazy as a subtle hint to encourage him to allow his musicians to return home after a long stay at the remote palace. Mercury Baroque pairs Haydn's "Farewell" Symphony with Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante, a concerto for Violin and Viola, in "Farewell" Haydn, Hello Mozart on Saturday, January 21st.

Valentine's is a time of love and passion, themes frequently explored in many Baroque masterpieces. In A French Valentine, love is explored in the music of Jean-Philippe Rameau through his cantatas Orphée and Les Amants Trahis. Rameau was a relatively late-bloomer as a composer. He hadn't been popular as a composer until his 40s. Now, however, he is recognized as one of the most innovative composers of the period. Two performances will be given on February 14th and 17th at 8:00pm.

On Friday, March 30th, superstar baroque violinist Monica Huggett joins Mercury Baroque for the first time for a program entitled The Virtuoso Violin. The concert features Mrs. Huggett as a soloist in dynamic and virtuosic concertos from all over 18th century Europe, including works by Leclair, Locatelli, Van Wassenaer and Vivaldi. This performance represents Mrs. Huggett's first collaboration with Mercury Baroque. As the leading Baroque violinist in the world, she holds the prestigious positions of Artistic Director of the Portland Baroque Orchestra and Julliard's new graduate program in historical performance.

Mercury Baroque continues its Beethoven Symphony cycle with Heroic Beethoven on Friday, May 11th broadening its repertoire by performing Beethoven's 2nd and 3rd Symphonies. Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony is regarded as the peak of the classical symphony and clearly foreshadows the movement towards romanticism in 19th century music. Beethoven originally dedicated his 3rd Symphony to Napoleon Bonaparte, though he famously scratched out that dedication after having heard of Bonaparte declaring himself Emperor of the French. Mercury Baroque's refreshing and vibrant approach to these two Symphonies marks the first time Houston audiences will have the opportunity to hear them on period accurate instruments.

Entering its 11th Season, Mercury Baroque has charmed audiences and critics the world over with its passionate and exciting performances of Baroque music on period accurate instruments. Mercury Baroque performs a subscription series of concerts in downtown Houston, other Houston-area communities and tours both domestically and internationally. Last season Mercury Baroque made its European debut with five critically acclaimed performances of Lully's opera Armide in Paris. In addition to frequent performances, Mercury Baroque is also dedicated to educating future
audiences and training the city's future musicians. Mercury's educational outreach programs have reached more than 10,000 children in the past 5 years alone.

 

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