Rochester’s Publick Musick will be joined by Boston-based soprano Shari Alise Wilson and organist Edoardo Bellotti for two performances of music from the early Italian Baroque period on Thursday, March 19, at the Memorial Art Gallery.
Titled “Tota pulchra es, amica mea,” the event is part of the series Third Thursday Concerts with Eastman’s Italian Baroque Organ. The program, which will be presented at 5:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m., features solo motets by Alessandro Grandi, whose music is frequently compared to Monteverdi’s for its beauty and expressivity, and inventive instrumental canzonas and motets by Tarquinio Merula.
Publick Musick is a period-instrument ensemble that produces and presents historically informed performances of music from the 17th and 18th centuries. Currently under the direction of violinist Boel Gidholm and cellist Christopher Haritatos, the ensemble includes performers who are nationally and internationally renowned Early Music professionals.
In addition to Wilson, Bellotti, Gidholm, and Haritatos, musicians for the March 15 concerts include Deborah Fox, theorbo, and Naomi Gregory, organ.
Wilson has been praised by critics for her “agile and crystalline voice.” Her recent performances include the Houston Early Music Festival with La Donna Musicale, Bach’s Magnificat with American Bach Soloists in San Franciso, Handel’s Messiah with Austin’s Ensemble VIII, and Haydn’s Creation (Angel) with Marsh Chapel Collegium. She is a member of and has appeared as a soloist with the Grammy-winning Austin-based vocal ensemble Conspirare.
Bellotti is a professor of organ, harpsichord and improvisation at the Eastman School of Music. A virtuoso organist and renowned improviser, Bellotti performs at leading festivals and concert venues throughout the world. He combines his international performing career with musicological research and teaching, publishing articles as well as new critical editions of music of the 17th and 18th centuries. He is a frequent guest lecturer at international conferences. He has also made several critically acclaimed recordings on historical instruments.
Eastman’s Italian Baroque Organ was built around 1770 in central Italy. Restored and installed in 2005 at the Memorial Art Gallery, the instrument is the only one of its kind in North America. The organ’s beautiful, authentic sounds have been heard by thousands of people who have come to the weekly Sunday mini-recitals and the special monthly concerts by internationally known guest artists and Eastman musicians.
Admission to the concert is included in Gallery admission, which is half-price on Thursday nights and free to UR student ID holders. This concert is made possible by the Rippey Endowed Trust.
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