Friday / 2 Nov 2007 / 7:30 p.m.

Les Violons du Roy
Bernard Labadie, conductor
Robin Blaze, countertenor
Karina Gauvin, soprano

Vivaldi: Sinfonia in B minor, RV 169, “Al Santo Sepolcro”
Vivaldi: Stabat Mater, RV 621
Vivaldi: Motet “In furore giustissimae irae,” RV 626
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater

Les Violons du Roy takes its name from the orchestra that played in the court of Louis XIV. This group of “royal lineage” is the brainchild of Bernard Labadie, Canadian conductor, vocalist, and recorder artist. The fifteen-member string ensemble is dedicated to finding new ways to present the standard 18th-century chamber music repertoire, while remaining true to performance practices of the period. The musicians play on modern instruments, using Baroque bows and bowing techniques. In this program, they will present two crowning jewels of the Baroque repertoire, Vivaldi and Pergolesi’s Stabat Maters, sung by one of Canada’s exceptional young sopranos, Karina Gauvin.

Friday / 18 Jan 2008 / 7:30 p.m.

Ensemble Caprice
Matthias Maute, director
CHICAGO DEBUT

Music of the Roma
Works by Ortiz, Schmelzer, Uccellini, Falconieri, Telemann, and Vivaldi.

Founded in Germany in 1986 to explore innovative interpretations of period music, Ensemble Caprice will present one of its specialties, antique music of the Roma. A unique program featuring pieces taken from Uhrovska Zbierka, a collection from the country now known as Slovakia, and works by composers who were influenced by the gypsy music they heard while traveling throughout Europe.

Friday / 7 Mar 2008 / 7:30 p.m.

Tallis Scholars
Peter Phillips, director
ROCKEFELLER MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Masterpieces from Portugal and Spain

“Back by popular demand” never rang so true as it does for the Tallis Scholars. Quasi-regulars on the Early Music Series, these a capella superstars will deviate slightly from their usual repertoire to present a program of masterpieces from Spain and Portugal, including works by Manuel Cardoso, Diogo Diaz Melgas, Manuel Mendes, Duarte Lobo and Tomás Luis da Victoria. Director Peter Phillips and the Scholars have logged in over 1450 concerts and 50 award-winning recordings since they first came together in 1973, but they have never wavered from the heavenly purity and clarity of sound that has become their trademark.