Friday / 7 October / 8 pm
Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
Tragicomedia
Concerto Palatino
Stephen Stubbs, director

"A Musical Tapestry" — featuring Monteverdi’s 1610 Vespers

“Tragicomedia plays with such agile dexterity that your concept of 17th century music will be irrevocably changed.” The Observer

Two of the world’s leading early music ensembles join forces to present the 17th century’s celebrated masterpiece, the Monteverdi Marian Vespers. Led by founder and lutist Stephen Stubbs and graced by master lutist Paul O’Dette, Tragicomedia mines the riches of the basso continuo era. The virtuoso wind ensemble, Concerto Palatino, explores the sacred repertoire of the Baroque trombone and cornetto. Together, in the timeless setting of Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, they offer a musical “cappella” reminiscent of Monteverdi’s own St. Mark’s, Venice.

“Baroque Untamed” — including works by Pachelbel, Purcell, Biber and Bach

“With Manze, ancient music is never old fashioned.”
The Boston Globe

When violinist Andrew Manze made his Chicago debut in Mandel Hall in January 2002, the Chicago Tribune called him a “manic gypsy violinist returned to the 17th century.” The gypsy is back – this time as the daring and dynamic leader of one of Britain’s most prestigious early music ensembles. Whether recreating Handel’s Water Music from a barge on the Thames or playing the first modern performance of Biber’s Easter Mass, Manze and the 22-member period orchestra make old music sound new.

“Mozart’s Roots: a cappella music in Germany” — including works by Praetorius, Hassler, Schutz and Bach

“To hear them perform is one of the great live music experiences of our times.” The Boston Globe

In their 30-year history, the Tallis Scholars have done it all -- from playing in the Sistine Chapel to collaborating with Sting. Now the gold standard of Renaissance Music performance returns to Rockefeller Chapel to present a program of music that influenced Mozart. The a cappella polyphony of late 16th and early 17th century composers like Praetorius, Hassler and Schutz provides clues about how Mozart and his heirs approached counterpoint and fugal writing. Fans, however, will agree that the Tallis Scholars, under the direction of founder Peter Phillips, bring an unmatched purity, clarity and beauty of sound to any program they sing.