Early Music Society of the Islands

The Ascendancy of the String Quartet
2023-02-18 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Vancouver) | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
Consone Quartet (UK)

EMSI is thrilled to host this exciting young British string quartet that is taking the world of early music by storm.
The featured works are Mozart’s Quartet KV156, Haydn’s “Joke” Quartet, Fanny Mendelssohn’s
Quartet in E♭ Major and the String Quartet Op. 1, No. 3 by the Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
The first period instrument string quartet to be selected as BBC New Generation Artists, the Consone Quartet are fast making a name for themselves with their honest and expressive interpretations of classical and romantic repertoire..Their debut recording explored music by Haydn and Mendelssohn and was described by The Strad as an album “that instantly leaps out of the stereo at you as something special.”
This season they launch a new partnership with Linn Records, opening with the complete string quartets of Felix Mendelssohn.
Formed at the Royal College of Music in London, the Consone Quartet launched their professional career in 2015, shortly after which they were awarded two prizes at the 2015 York Early Music International Young Artists Competition, including the EUBO Development Trust Prize and a place on the EEEmerging Scheme in France. They went on to win the 2016 Royal Over-Seas League Ensemble Prize, and in 2022 were awarded a prestigious Borletti-Buitoni Trust (BBT) fellowship.
The quartet has been enthusiastically received at London’s Wigmore Hall, King’s Place, St John’s Smith Square and St Martin-in-the-Fields, and at the Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Brighton, and Buxton Festivals, amongst others. The English Haydn Festival and the Brighton and York Early Music Festivals have been loyal supporters over the past few years and regularly host the group.
Further afield, Consone have been invited to perform at the Philharmonie de Paris and Auditorium de Lyon in France, at the Concertgebouw Brugge, AMUZ and de Bijloke in Belgium, Concerts d’été à St Germain in Switzerland and at other venues across Italy, Austria, Bulgaria and Slovenia. Following a tour to South America in 2018 they are making a highly anticipated North American debut in February 2023.
“…They play with perfect intonation, tremendous attack, and impeccable historical style. All the four instruments work together with such intelligence and imagination, that I would happily listen to them every day” – Sir Roger Norrington
Doors open at 6:45pm. Pre-concert talk at 7:00pm
Tickets $31; 10% discount for seniors & members; youth and students FREE at the door.

In the Salons of Europe: Fortepiano-Harpsichord Duos in the Eighteenth Century
2023-01-07 19:30 - 21:30 | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
Raritan Players (USA)
Rebecca Cypess & Yi-heng Yang keyboards
It is commonly thought that musicians abandoned their harpsichords and took up the fortepiano quickly and suddenly around 1780. In fact, the two instruments coexisted happily for decades. Throughout the eighteenth century, instrument makers explored novel ways of producing sound through experimentation with keyboard technologies. As new inventions were introduced, they were folded into an already diverse keyboard culture, expanding the palette of sounds available to players. Harpsichords and fortepianos of various sorts should be understood within the culture of invention and experimentation that led, during the same period, to such developments as musical automatons, orchestrions, the glass harmonica and musical clocks.
In the context of salons the use of various types of keyboard instruments allowed women to display their erudition while still adhering to the norms of their gender and social station. The tasteful combination of such instruments in performance enabled family members and friends to forge a sympathetic bond through music-making and presented their listeners with a topic of polite conversation. Indeed, in bringing together diverse sounds and technologies, the two players of a fortepiano-harpsichord duo enact a conversation of the same sort encouraged by the social institution of the salon: they differ in their sounds and the roles that they play, while still finding ways to harmonize with and complement one another.
Our concert features the fortepiano and harpsichord side-by-side, or, rather, face-to-face, presented by two artists renowned for their “simply mesmerizing” (Early Music America) performances and their scholarship in the areas of performance practice and the evolution of keyboard instruments.

Brio and panache…simply a delight to the ear. – Fanfare
Tickets $31; 10% discount for seniors & members; youth and students FREE at the door.
BUY TICKETS
Plus Extra:
Workshop on the evolution of keyboard instruments in the 18th Century

Our artists have studied and written extensively about the development of keyboard instruments in this important transitional period and will be sharing that knowledge in an afternoon talk, which will include discussions, questions and answers and demonstrations on fortepiano and harpsichord.
Join us for this FREE event, Friday, January 6, 2pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (Broughton St. entrance).
Let us know if you plan to attend by emailing us at info@earlymusicsocietyoftheislands.ca

Christmas Around Europe
2022-12-10 19:30 - 21:30 | First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1205 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R3, Canada
SPECIAL EVENT
Sinéad White soprano (TORONTO)
Victoria Baroque
Marco Vitale harpsichord and direction
EMSI’s Christmas concert is always the musical highlight of the season. This year, one of Canada’s most exciting sopranos joins Victoria Baroque for a festive programme of seasonal music from around Europe, including familiar carols and seldom-heard masterpieces.

Lively, sensitive, and stylish. – Times Colonist
Tickets $41; 10% discount for seniors & members; youth and students FREE at the door.
BUY TICKETS
Programme

Gaetano Maria Schiassi (1698-c.1754):
Concerto Pastorale per il natale di nostro Di Signor Jesu Op.1 No.12 in D
Adagio, Allegro, Largo, Andante
Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1727):
Christmas Cantata O di Betlemme altera povertà venturosa! (Excerpts)
Recitativo “O di Betlemme altera povertà venturosa!”
Aria “Dal ben seno d’una stella”
Recitativo “Fortunati pastori giacchè v’è dato in sorte”
Aria Pastorale “Tocco la prima sorte a voi, pastori”
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750):
Aria “Auch mit gedämpften, schwachen Stimmen” from Advent Cantata BWV 36
Melchior Schildt (1592-1677):
Sacred Concerto Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein
Christian Geist (1640-1711):
Sacred Concerto So schön leuchtet die Morgenstern
Intermission
Michel Richard de Lalande (1657-1726): Symphonies de Noels
“Un jeune pucelle”; Symphonie; “Ou s’en vont ces gays Bergers” & double; Ritournelle’ “Une jeune pucelle” & double; “Or nouse dites Marie”; “Joseph est bien Marie”; “A minuit fut fait un Reveil”; “Joseph est bien Marie” & double; “Vous qui desiré sans fin” & double; Carillon
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759): Aria “Rejoice” from Messiah
CAROLS
“Es ist ein Ros entsprungen” (16th century German, arr. Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621)
“Sweet was the Song” (sixteenth-century English)
“While Shepherds Watched” (after Christopher Tye c.1500-73, arr. Richar Alison, fl. 1592-1606)
“In Dulci Jubilo” (13th century German, arr. Praetorius)

Musicians:
Sinéad White, soprano
Marco Vitale, harpsichord/director
Victoria Baroque:
Christi Meyers, violin
Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith violin
Caroline Nicolas, cello
Soile Stratkauskas, flute
Katrina Russell, bassoon

Masters of the Lute: Dowland to Bach
2022-11-26 19:30 - 21:30 | First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1205 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R3, Canada
Thomas Dunford lute (FRANCE)
Thomas Dunford has quickly established himself as the most exciting and acclaimed member of the new generation of lutenists. In his Victoria debut, he will bring his unrivaled virtuosity to masterpieces of the Renaissance and to the unparalleled masterpieces of J.S. Bach, including an arrangement for lute of the famous Chaconne from the Violin Partita in d minor, BWV
1004.
“The Eric Clapton of the lute”. – BBC Magazine
Tickets $31; 10% discount for seniors & members; youth and students FREE at the door.
Buy Tickets
Note the location: First Church of Christ Scientist on upper Pandora at Chambers.
PROGRAMME
John Dowland (1563 – 1626)
Praeludium
Fortune
A fancy (from the complete Dowland Lute Book by Diana Poulton)
Semper Dowland Semper dolens
Mrs. Winter’s jump
A dream
The king of Denmark’s galliard
Lachrimae
Frog galliard
Girolamo Kapsberger (1580 – 1651)
Toccata I
Toccata VI
Juan Ambrosio Dalza (fl. 1508)
Calata alla Spagnola
Interval
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Suite in G Major, BWV 1007
Prélude (1685-1750)
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Menuet I
Menuet II
Gigue
Chaconne (from Violin Partita No. 2 in d minor, BWV 1004)

Thomas Dunford:
Born in Paris in 1988, Thomas Dunford discovered lute at the age of nine thanks to his professor Claire Antonini. He continued his studies at the Conservatoire de Paris where he was awarded First Prize (unanimous) in the class of Charles-Edouard Fantin, as well as at the Schola Cantorum of Basel with Hopkison Smith. He attended several masterclasses with lutenists such as Rolf Lislevand, Julian Bream, Eugène Ferré, Paul O’Dette, Pascale Boquet, Benjamin Perrot and Eduardo Eguez.
Between 2003 and 2005, Thomas made his debut in the role of the lutenist in Twelfth Night by Shakespeare on the stage of La Comédie Française. Since then, he has performed on prestigious stages worldwide at Carnegie Hall and Frick Collection in New York City, Wigmore Hall in London, Washington Kennedy Center, Vancouver Recital Society, Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, Paris and Berlin Philharmonies, TAP Poitiers, WDR Köln, and Bozar Brussels, among others. He also performs in festivals such as Saintes, Radio France Montpellier Occitanie, Ambronay, Leipzig Bachfest, Utrecht, and Folles Journées de Nantes. He has performed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, the U.S., Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Israel, China, Japan and India.
Thomas Dunford is regularly invited to conduct-perform with ensembles and orchestras including Les Arts Florissants, Academy of Ancient Music, Cappella Mediterranea, and Pygmalion. He has also appeared with Opera Lafayette in Washington DC since 2017.
In 2018, Thomas founded Jupiter Ensemble which gathers musicians such as Lea Desandre, Jean Rondeau, Sophie Gent, Théotime Langlois de Swarte, Bruno Philippe, and Peter Whelan to give new life to early music. Their first eponymous album dedicated to Vivaldi, which received several awards and much critical acclaim, was released by Alpha in 2019. Their future projects include a program of madrigals by Monteverdi as well as Amazones, a French and Italian recital program with Lea Desandre. Jupiter Ensemble has appeared in the greatest venues of Europe and the U.S., such as the Philharmonie de Paris, Berlin Philharmonie, Auditorium de Radio France, Elb Philharmonie Hamburg, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and Festival de Pâques Aix en Provence.
Prior to the success of Jupiter Ensemble, Thomas Dunford received many awards for his solo CDs on the Alpha label, Lacrimae in 2012, Labirinto d’Amoreen in 2014, and Bach Suites in 2018.
Thomas Dunford is fond of many musical genres, particularly jazz, and has worked on chamber music projects with conductors and soloists such as Paul Agnew, Leonardo Garcia Alarcon, Nicola Benedetti, Keyvan Chemirani, William Christie, Jonathan Cohen, Christophe Coin, Iestyn Davies, Lea Desandre, Isabelle Faust, Bobby McFerrin, Philippe Herreweghe, Monica Huggett, Alexis Kosenko, Francois Lazarévitch, Anne-Sophie von Otter, Trevor Pinnock, Patricia Petibon, Sandrine Piau, Anna Prohaska, Hugo Reyne, Anna Reinhold, Jean Rondeau, Skip Sempé, and Jean Tubéry. His regular performance partners are harpsichordist Jean Rondeau, mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre, and counter-tenor Iestyn Davies.

CD Madness Sale
2022-11-12 14:30 - 17:00 | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
700 quality gently used Early Music CDs for sale
A fun, lively event to chase away the winter doldrums
Live music while you shop
Come in your best periwig, doublet-and-hose or wimple
Get great bargains on top-notch CDs
Progressive sale – as the afternoon wears on, the prices come down!
Saturday, November 12, 2:30pm, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church – Broughton St. entrance
All proceeds from the CD Madness sale will go towards the EMSI Permanent Endowment Fund.
Send us an email or call our phone number to let us know if you will be attending.

A New Springtime of the World
2022-10-29 19:30 - 21:30 | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
Diabolus in Musica (FRANCE)
In the twelfth century, in the famous words of George Duby, “a new world blossomed on the old Latin stump.” This new world witnessed the composition by troubadours of the first secular songs on themes of courtly love. Musicians were joyfully reinventing beauty for a new age.
Diabolus in Musica present secular songs of the 12th Century: the music of the trouvères and troubadours.
The French ensemble, Diabolus in Musica, was founded in 1992. Under the new direction of Nicolas Sansarlat, they continue to present well-know repertoire and rediscovered vocal and instrumental works from the Middle Ages.
Diabolus in Musica go right to the heart of an exciting era of musical development when musicians were exploring the very essence of sound and the blending of sounds, rhythms and vocal timbres. – Gramophone
Tickets $31; 10% discount for seniors & members; youth and students FREE at the door.
BUY TICKETS HERE
Program:
Benedicamus domino umane prolis, versus for two voices
Pax in nomine domini, chanson by Marcabru
La dousa votz ai auzida, chanson by Bernard de Ventadour
Can l’erba fresch’, chanson by Bernard de Ventadour
Flore vernans, versus for two voices
No posc sofrir c’a la dolor, chanson by Guiraut de Bornelh
Estampida, anonymous
Res jocosa, versus for two voices
Reis gloriós verais lums e clartats, chanson by Guiraut de Bornelh
Chasuts sui de mal en pena, chanson by Bertran de Born
Quan lo rius de la fontana, chanson de Jaufré Rudel
Gregis pastor, versus for two voices
Estampie royale, anonymous
Je muir je muir, rondel by Adam de la Halle
Nicholais presulis, conduit for three voices
Or entre mais e la sesons, anonymous

Vivaldi's Other Seasons
2022-10-01 19:30 - 21:30 | First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria, BC, V8T 1A8, Canada
Hélène Brunet soprano
Rodolfo Richter violin and direction
Ensemble Castor (AUSTRIA)
BUY TICKETS NOW
A light-hearted alternative to the familiar Four Seasons, this programme includes concerti and cantatas by Vivaldi related to nature, its sounds and its powerful events: bird song, tempests, rural life and the hunt. One of Italy’s leading exponents of the baroque violin leads some of Austria’s finest early music specialists, with soprano and Juno Award winner Hélène Brunet.

Vivaldi’s best known work, The Four Seasons, has become so ubiquitous in recordings and concert performances, that it has dominated the Baroque music landscape. But Vivaldi’s prolific output went far beyond the famous concerto, to include opera, oratorio, motet, sonata and many other concerti.
Our concert on October 1 demonstrates the incredible range of his genius, including works with musical echoes of The Four Seasons and similar themes of the power and beauty of nature.This all-Vivaldi program will be performed by Austria’s Ensemble Castor, led by the renowned violin virtuoso, Rodolfo Richter, and featuring Canadian soprano, Hélène Brunet.
Brilliant virtuosity, driving rhythms, beautiful melodies – all the trademarks of one of the most beloved composers of the late Baroque.
These players never fail to find something to say … lovely, imaginative performances on some sweet-sounding instruments. – Gramophone

Canadian soprano Hélène Brunet has performed across North America with ensembles and orchestras, notably at the Lincoln Center in New York City with the American Classical Orchestra, with American Bach Soloists in San Francisco, and the Orchestre Métropolitain under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who praised her singing, saying, “Hélène Brunet is the embodiment of class, refinement, and purity.” In addition to a Juno award for her first solo album, Hélène was a prize winner at the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio-Solo Competition at Carnegie Hall. She is currently based in New York.
A never-ending curiosity, combined with a deep passion for music led British/Brazilian violinist Rodolfo Richter to pursue a diverse career as director, soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, concertmaster, teacher and composer. Praised by the international press as “one of the most inspirational baroque violinists of his generation”, chamber music has always been at the core of his activities over the years. In great demand as a guest concertmaster, Rodolfo has led The English Concert, Concerto Köln, Capella Mediterranea, Pygmaleon, Ex Cathedra, La Nuova Musica, Die Kölner Akademie and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He has collaborated with many eminent conductors such as Sir Roger Norrington, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Mark Elder, Gustav Leonhardt, René Jacobs, Christopher Hogwood, Trevor Pinnock, Marris Jansons and Pierre Boulez. He is a former concertmaster of the Academy of Ancient Music (2005-2015) and B’Rock (2009-2018).
Tickets $31; 10% discount for seniors & members; youth and students FREE at the door.
Program:

Garden Concert: In the Trees
2022-08-21 15:00 - 16:00, 2022-08-20 15:00 - 16:00 | RSVP for address, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Baroque music for two violins, recorder, bassoon, recorder and cello, performed in a beautiful garden.
Music by Boismortier, Marais, Corette, Handel and more.

Performers:
Carolyn Hatch, violin
Elyssa Lefurgey-Smith, violin
Kerry Graham, bassoon and recorder
Martin Bonham, cello and viola da gamba

The program will draw from:
Sonata Sesta, Sonata in Imitation of Birds – William Williams
Op. 37#3 – Joseph Bodin de Boismortier
Suite IV in Bb – Marin Marais
Sonata for 2 basses Op 40 No. 1 F major – Joseph Bodin de Boismortier
Sonata a deux – Michel Corrette
Sonata FaWV N-F4 – Johann Friedrich Fasch
Sonata for Recorder in D Minor HWV367 – George Frideric Handel
Trio Sonata Op2 #3 HWV 388 – George Frideric Handel

The concert is free or by donation (suggested donation: $20), with all of the proceeds going to the musicians. Donate through CanadaHelps (specify Summer Garden Concerts) and get a tax receipt, or bring cash to the concert (no receipt).
When: Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21, at 3pm
Where: Private garden in Oak Bay (directions will be provided on signing up for the concert)
Sign up: Please contact hcazes@emsivictoria.ca to reserve your place.
We’re grateful to Dr. Howard for allowing us to use his wonderful garden for the concerts.

Garden Concert: Banquo Folk Ensemble
2022-08-07 15:00 - 16:00, 2022-08-06 15:00 - 16:00 | RSVP for address, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Join us in an exquisite garden for a tour of medieval Europe, from 13th Century Scotland, to the trouvères of France, the dance music of Italy and the pilgrim songs of Spain.
Banquo Folk Ensemble has been performing in Victoria for over 20 years. Vocalists and multi-instrumentalists, they take early music from the written and oral traditions and develop arrangements that are both creative and faithful to the origins of the music.
This program focuses on medieval music across Europe, from the 12th through to the 15th centuries.

Members of Banquo are:
Gwen Jamieson – voice, hurdy gurdy, cittern, gothic harp
Linda Donn – voice, treble medieval vielle, recorders
Amy Reiswig – percussion
Bill Jamieson – tenor medieval vielle, shawm, recorders, German bagpipes

The program includes:
Tant m’abelis – Berenguier de Palou (1150-1185, France)
Under der Linden – Walther von der Vogelweide (1170-1230, Germany)
Douce Dame Jolie – Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377, France)
Lamento di Tristano/La Rotta – Anonymous (14th Century, Italy)
Two Cantigas de Santa Maria – attributed Alfonso X of Castile (1221-1284, Spain)
Reis Glorios – Guirat de Borneth (1138-1215, France)
Ex Te Lux Oritur – Anonymous (13th Century, Scotland)
And more . . . .

The concert is free or by donation (suggested donation: $20), with all of the proceeds going to the musicians. Donate through CanadaHelps (specify Summer Garden Concerts) and get a tax receipt, or bring cash to the concert (no receipt).
When: Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7, at 3pm
Where: Private garden in Oak Bay (directions will be provided on signing up for the concert)
Sign up: Please let us know if you are planning to attend by sending an email to our board member Judith at judeonthego@gmail.com so we can plan for the numbers and give you directions to the garden.
BYOC (bring your own chair)
We’re grateful to Dr. Howard for allowing us to use his wonderful garden for the concerts.

Garden concert: A Great Noyse
2022-07-10 15:00 - 16:00 | RSVP for address, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
A Great Noyse is Victoria’s only Renaissance wind ensemble. Performing on authentic reproductions of instruments used over 400 years ago, the five-person ensemble creates a unique sound that you simply won’t hear anywhere else on the Island.
From elegant masques in the stately gardens of royalty to lively dances on the village green, the haut, or loud, consort was designed for outdoor occasions. Join us for this concert of lively and tuneful music, in the setting of one of the finest private gardens in Victoria.

Bob Fraser sackbut, crumhorn
Marcus Hissen sackbut
Bill Jamieson shawms, crumhorn, recorder
Katrina Russell dulcian
Andrew Clark percussion

The concert is free or by donation (suggested donation: $20), with all of the proceeds going to the musicians.
The location is a private garden in Oak Bay; directions will be provided on signing up for the concert.
Please let us know if you are planning to attending by sending an email to hcazes@emsivictoria.ca so we can plan for the numbers and give you directions to the garden.

We’re grateful to Dr. Lloyd Howard for allowing us to use his wonderful garden for the concerts.

Garden Concert: A Great Noyse
2022-07-09 15:00 - 16:00 | RSVP for address, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
A Great Noyse is Victoria’s only Renaissance wind ensemble. Performing on authentic reproductions of instruments used over 400 years ago, the five-person ensemble creates a unique sound that you simply won’t hear anywhere else on the Island.
From elegant masques in the stately gardens of royalty to lively dances on the village green, the haut, or loud, consort was designed for outdoor occasions. Join us for this concert of lively and tuneful music, in the setting of one of the finest private gardens in Victoria.

Bob Fraser sackbut, crumhorn
Marcus Hissen sackbut
Bill Jamieson shawms, crumhorn, recorder
Katrina Russell dulcian
Andrew Clark percussion

The concert is free or by donation (suggested donation: $20), with all of the proceeds going to the musicians.
The location is a private garden in Oak Bay; directions will be provided on signing up for the concert.
Please let us know if you are planning to attending by sending an email to hcazes@emsivictoria.ca so we can plan for the numbers and give you directions to the garden.
We are grateful to Dr. Lloyd Howard for allowing us to use his wonderful garden for the concerts.

-- POSTPONED -- CD Madness
2022-06-25 14:00 - 16:00 | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
Please check back soon for the new date!
EMSI has been the grateful recipient of a donation of over 500 good quality Early Music CDs. We want you to have them, so we will be holding a one-day sale event to raise funds for the society. It will be a lively and fun event, with progressively dropping prices, auctioning of some special items and live music to encourage your inner-consumer.
Feel free to show up in your periwig, doublet-and-hose or wimple.
All proceeds will go to EMSI Endowment Fund.
Come along, enjoy the fun, be a part of EMSI’s future and pick up some excellent CDs at bargain prices!

Kalhor and Tabassian in Dialogue, Dueling Setars
2022-06-05 16:00 - 18:00 | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
Internationally renowned Grammy award winner, Kayhan Kalhor is joined by Ensemble Constantinople co-founder Kiya Tabassian in a program of improvised music on the ancient Persian instrument, the setar, in a joint presentation by EMSI and Early Music Vancouver.
”Rather than a duel, the two setarists’ ninety or so uninterrupted minutes onstage turned out to be a clinic in how to build something transcendent.” New York Music Daily
From dawn to dusk, music reigns among the stars of Persian civilization. The traditional music of Iran, unique to the Orient, is the fruit of a mystical heritage with a fascinating capacity for constant regeneration. For this unique concert, Kayhan Kalhor, an uncontested master of this tradition, joins Kiya Tabassian on a journey through an immense musical universe. Carrying on tradition while uncovering the future, they make poetry that sings of times both old and new, and contribute to a culture that is in full swing.
The intensely spiritual and emotional improvisations of Kalhor and Tabassian, steeped in the traditional music of Iran, are said to bring listeners to a trance-like state. The ancestry of the setar can be traced to the ancient tanbur of pre-Islamic Persia. It is made from thin mulberry wood and its fingerboard has more than 20 moveable frets. Setar is literally translated as “three strings”; in its present form, however, it has four strings. Because of its delicacy and intimate sonority, the setar is the preferred instrument of Sufi mystics.
Buy Tickets
Tickets $45 adult / $40 senior. Students & youth FREE at the door.
Flex Passes are not valid for this special event.
Concert at 4pm; doors open at 3:30. There will be no pre-concert talk.

Covid Protocols:
This event will be general seating, and we kindly request that masks be worn at all times in the venue.

Music for Two Flutes
2022-05-14 20:00 - 22:00 | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
Soile Strakauskas baroque flute (Victoria)
Janet See baroque flute (Seattle)
Caroline Nicolas viola da gamba and cello
Kevin Payne theorbo
The eighteenth century was the golden age of the flute and some of the best baroque musicians from the Pacific Northwest present a varied selection of beautiful music from around Europe. The featured composers include Anna Bon di Venezia, Joseph Haydn (London Trio No. 1), Wilhelm Friedmann Bach and Jean-Marie Leclair. A must hear for woodwind lovers!
“See is a master of the instrument…Her tone glows quietly yet fervently.” Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Tickets $30 adult / $27 senior / FREE at the door for students and youth.
Buy tickets

Imaginario: the Making of an Imaginary Songbook
2022-04-30 20:00 - 22:00 | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
Armonia Concertada (ARGENTINA)
María Cristina Kiehr soprano
Ariel Abramovich vihuela

In the long tradition of songbooks over the ages, there is a significant gap: songbooks of the Spanish Renaissance for voice and vihuela, a relative of the guitar. Instrumentalist Ariel Abramovich has filled in that gap with an imagined songbook, encompassing songs from the few existing published anthologies and other sources. Music by Vásquez, Josquin, Morales, Willaert and more, are performed by the Argentine duo of María Cristina Kiehr, soprano and Ariel Abramovich, vihuela de mano.
Based in Europe for many years, María Cristina Kiehr has shared the stage with world-class performers, including Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Frans Brüggen, Philippe Herreweghe and Jordi Savall. Ariel Abramovich, also now based in Europe, has established himself as an important figure in rediscovering, reinterpreting, recording and teaching the repertoire of Renaissance lute and vihuela, partnering with musicians such as Anna Maria Friman, Jacob Herringman, and José Hernández-Pastor.

Tickets $30 adults / $27 senior. Students (with ID) and youth FREE at the door.
Buy Tickets
“expressive ardour…profound sensuality” Gramophone
“Kiehr has a ceramic glaze to her delivery: smooth and cool on the surface but warm and pleasingly textured underneath. Her dark vowels create a rich tone that never falters.” Gramophone
“An attractive and musically sensible reinterpretation of some delightful music, brilliantly performed by María Cristina Kiehr and Ariel Abramovich” Andew Benson-Wilson: Early Music Reviews

This concert is generously sponsored by Betty & James Hesser.
Doors open at 6:45. Pre-concert talk at 7:10.

Download the concert program

Bach's Easter Oratorio
2022-04-09 20:00 - 22:00 | St. Andrew’s Cathedral, 740 View St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1J8, Canada
SPECIAL EVENT!
Ensemble Caprice (MONTREAL)
Ensemble Vocal Arts-Québec
Matthias Maute conductor
Janelle Lucyk soprano
William Duffy alto
Arthur Tanguay-Labrosse tenor
Jonathon Adams bass
On the Saturday before Palm Sunday, EMSI is pleased to present one of Bach’s towering achievements performed by one of the world’s most sought-after early music ensembles. First performed in Leipzig in 1725, this oratorio has been among the best-loved of Bach’s masterpieces, but opportunities to hear this large-scale work (including oboes, trumpets and timpani) are rare in Victoria. To double your delight, Bach’s lesser-known Ascension Oratorio will also be performed.
“The music making by Ensemble Caprice was first rate.” New York Times
Tickets $40; subscriber, senior, member and student discounts available.
There will be no pre-concert talk for this event, but at 7:30 there will be an audience rehearsal, for those who wish to add their voices to the final chorus.
Download the program here.
Buy tickets

Dancing in the Isles
2022-03-05 20:00 - 22:00 | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
Musica Pacifica (CALIFORNIA)
“Some of the finest baroque musicians in America.” American Record Guide
During the 17th and 18th centuries, an astounding range of musical styles, influences and cultural remnants co-existed in the British Isles. At the same time that the most fashionable continental musicians were transforming the cultural life of London, centuries-old Irish and Scottish culture was being preserved in the rural villages of the rugged northwestern outerlands, where Celtic languages are spoken to this day. Sophisticated composers and audiences began to grow accustomed to a blending of musical styles and idioms from across the British Isles and throughout the European continent.
This high-energy program of rousing folk and dance music from eighteenth-century England, Ireland and Scotland has something for everyone. Soulful tunes and merry jigs are juxtaposed with Purcell, Byrd and Locke. The music of Scottish composers such as James Oswald, “Red Rob” Mackintosh, and Niel Gow defies categorization. No matter your taste, this program will make you want to dance in the (a)isles!
Programme:

Tickets $30; subscriber, senior, member and student discounts available.
Buy tickets

In Memory of Jeanne Lamon
2022-02-26 20:00 - 21:00 | Online, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
A concert in memory of legendary baroque violinist Jeanne Lamon, who touched thousands of lives with her exceptional musicianship, leadership, warmth, and generosity in Canada and abroad. The music of Bach was close to Lamon’s heart through her life, and one of her final musical endeavours was the transcription of Bach’s otherworldly and monumental Chaconne in D minor. This intimate programme –curated by Lamon’s partner in music and life, Christina Mahler – remembers Lamon through the Chaconne and other transcendent music by Bach, interspersed with poetry read by the Canadian author, Kit Pearson.

EMSI is partnering with Victoria Baroque to present a livestream of this concert.
The video will be freely accessible, but donations in support of these talented musicians are greatly appreciated.
Click here on Feb 26 to watch the livestream.
If you are interested in attending this concert in-person, please see Victoria Baroque.

Watch a short preview video:

Programme by Johann Sebastian Bach
Orchestral Suite No.2 (transcription)
Sarabande from Solo Cello Suite No.5
Sinfonia from Cantata BWV182
Chaconne from Partita for Solo Violin in D minor, transcribed by Jeanne Lamon
Brandenburg Concerto no. 5, movements 2 & 3
Performers
Christina Mahler cello
Yolanda Bruno violin
Chloe Kim violin
Christi Meyers violin
Mieka Michaux viola
Soile Stratkauskas flute
Christina Hutten harpsichord
Natalie Mackie violone

--- POSTPONED --- Wind Quintets: the Origin Story
2022-02-05 20:00 - 22:00 | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
EMSI is sorry to cancel February’s concert, but would like to reschedule the Canova Winds performance in a future season.
Please contact EMSI if you haven’t already done so regarding exchanging, donating or refunding your tickets by emailing boxoffice@emsivictoria.ca or leaving a message at 250 882 5058.
Canova Winds (USA)
Canova Winds explores the emergence of one of classical music’s most loved ensembles. Concertgoers may be familiar with well-known wind quintets by Nielsen, Hindemith and Barber, but the form originates with Giuseppe Cambini, Franz Danzi, Anton Reicha and Beethoven. Each period wind instrument is unique and playful on its own, but merged they produce a bouquet of sounds seldom heard by modern ears.
“…allow[s] each note to sound with its own expressive qualities.” San Francisco Examiner
Tickets $30; subscriber, senior, member and student discounts available.

--- POSTPONED --- The (Very) First Viennese School
2022-01-08 20:00 - 22:00 | St. Andrew’s Cathedral, 740 View St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1J8, Canada
EMSI has made the difficult decision to cancel January’s concert, in light of the rapidly escalating public health situation.
We hope to reschedule this wonderful ensemble in a future season.
Please find ticket exchange and refund information here.
Quicksilver (New York)

Music in Vienna had its first great flourishing long before Mozart and Haydn. The Emperors of the 17th century were great connoisseurs and brought together virtuosi from Italy and Austria at their splendid court in Vienna. Quicksilver baroque orchestra brings to life the extravagant and sumptuous sonatas of masters such as Bertali, Kerl, Legrenzi and Schmeltzer.
“Revered like rock stars within the early music scene” New York Times
Tickets $30; subscriber, senior, member and student discounts available.

Wassail, Wassail! Music for the Yuletide Season
2021-12-18 20:00 - 22:00 | St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 924 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1C1, Canada
SPECIAL EVENT!
The Baltimore Consort (USA)
Danielle Svonavec soprano
With its always festive cornucopia of instruments — lute, cittern, viols, crumhorns, recorders, rebec and percussion—the Baltimore Consort offers old carols and dance tunes from the British Isles, Germany, France, Spain and the New World. EMSI’s Christmas concert is always a highlight of the season. Don’t miss it!
“One of the best concerts I attended last season was given by the Baltimore Consort.” Washington Post

Read the program notes here

Attend Live –
Join us at the beautiful St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (Douglas and Broughton) for our first live mainstage concert since March, 2020!
Tickets $40; subscriber, senior, member and student discounts available.
Live concert tickets
Or attend online –
We understand that some patrons may be reluctant to attend the live event. If you are one of those, we don’t want you to be left out. You can still enjoy the concert through a simultaneous livestream video that can be viewed in the comfort of your home.
Purchase a ticket for $20, and we will send you a link. Follow the link at concert time (7:45pm, December 18), and you will be able to enjoy the concert in high-resolution video with professional sound quality. (This will be a real-time streamed event, so it will only be available for the duration of the concert.)
Online livestream tickets

Reeding in the Garden
2021-08-15 14:00 - 15:00, 2021-08-14 14:00 - 15:00 | RSVP for address, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Chamber Music among the trees and beds of an extraordinary garden, with a guided tour after the concert.
Join us for a program of 18th C. music in the Italian style composed by German and French composers (Telemann, Corrette, Boismortier, Bach and Heinichen) performed by three Canadian musicians (Martin Bonham, Pierre Cayer and Katrina Russell): three trios, one duet and one solo.
See below for how to book your seats! Details (location, precisions) will be sent to registered participants.
There is no admission fee for this concert, offered by the musicians, the garden owner (Lloyd Howard), and the EMSI. Donations are welcome with proceedings going to the musicians. To donate, please click here.

About the concert
Georg PhilippTelemann: Sonata in F Major for Oboe, Bassoon and Continuo TWV 42: F1 (1718)
Michel Corrette: Sonata in C for Bassoon and Cello (originally 2 cellos) Op. 24 (1741)
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier: Sonata in E Minor for Oboe, Bassoon and Continuo Op. 37, No. 2 (1732)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Sarabande and Bourrée 1 & 2 from Suite No. 3 in C for Solo Cello (~1720)
Johann David Heinichen: Concerto for Oboe, Bassoon and Cello in G S220 (1683-1729)

Martin Bonham, a member of the Victoria Symphony from 1978 to 2019 and during that time, one of Victoria’s leading chamber musicians, also established himself as one of the top early music specialists in Western Canada, with performances for Early Music Vancouver, the Early Music Society of the Islands and Victoria Baroque. Cofounder with Kazue Kazahaya Seki of Les Violes de Saint-Colombe, a founding member of the Pacific Baroque Orchestra and the Musick Masters, he appeared frequently on stage throughout BC, Alberta and Washington State. His interest in recreating early dance led to a role in the 1990’s as Music Director and one of the dancers in Movimento!, Victoria’s early dance and theatre company at the time. In this concert, Martin plays an 18th Century Italian cello restored to Baroque specifications.
Born in Montreal, Pierre Cayer holds a First Prize in both oboe and chamber music from the Conservatoire de Musique du Québec, a Soloist Diploma from the Music Conservatory of Rotterdam (Netherlands), and a Master’s degree in music (M.Mus.) from McGill University. He was a member of the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and co-music director of Eine Kleine Summer Music until 2015. He could be heard frequently with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and the Palm Court Orchestra. Since retiring as a professional modern oboe player, he is dedicating his time to the baroque oboe and the baroque repertoire.
Katrina Russell has a diverse performance background as a bassoonist, with repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary music, and from orchestral playing to solo appearances. Prior to moving to Vancouver Island, she lived in Britain, and as a specialist in historical performance, she played and recorded with many of the foremost period instrument ensembles in Britain and Europe. As a member of these groups Katrina has toured widely, appearing at many leading festivals around the world from Perth (Australia) to Mostly Mozart (Lincoln Center, New York), and the BBC Proms. On modern bassoon she has appeared with groups ranging from The London Chamber Orchestra (UK) to the New York Philomusica, and the Vancouver Symphony, Victoria Symphony, and other Canadian orchestras. The past number of years have seen her appear with various West Coast period instrument ensembles, including Early Music Vancouver, Victoria Baroque, and The Pacific Baroque Orchestra.

How to attend the Garden Concert
Send an email to Hélène Cazes including:
1. Which performance you wish to attend: August 14th, 2pm or August 15th, 2pm;
2. In case your day of choice is full, if you would be interested in the other performance;
3. The size of your party.
You will receive confirmation of your booking by email. Closer to the event, you will receive the details of the venue (address, parking restrictions, reminders of the Safety rules). Registration will be on a first come first served basis. If you do not hear from us, please use this alternate address.

A Great Noyse
2021-07-25 14:00 - 15:00, 2021-07-24 14:00 - 15:00 | RSVP for address, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
EMSI invites you to enjoy a perfect combination of pleasures : live Renaissance music in a harmonious garden. On July 24th and 25th, 2021 A Great Noyse will celebrate the season with Renaissance bagpipes, shawms, sackbuts and dulcian in the heart of Oak Bay. This local Renaissance wind consort will play in the most delightful venue – a spacious garden designed for the eyes, for the meditation and, as last year’s garden concert proved, excellent for acoustics. The garden will be open and welcoming after the performance for those who wish to discover and admire its many marvels.
This enchanted time out of time is offered by the musicians, the garden owner and the EMSI. Donations will be welcome with proceeds going to the musicians. Do not miss this delightful Early Music concert in a truly extraordinary garden setting !
Following the recommendations of BC Health, this small outdoor concert will be limited to 50 audience members, who will bring their garden chairs. Distances of 2 meters will be maintained between people and others outside of their household.

To reserve your place:
Send an email to Hélène Cazes including:
1. Which performance you wish to attend: July 24, 2pm or July 25, 2pm;
2. In case your day of choice is full, if you would be interested in the other performance;
3. The size of your party (limited to 6, by the Covid Safety Plan).
You will receive confirmation of your booking by email. Closer to the event, you will receive the details of the venue (address, parking restrictions, reminders of the Safety rules). Registration will be on a first come first served basis.

Cordiform Opening Night Event
2021-04-03 20:00 - 22:00 | Online, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
You are invited to our “Cordiform Zoom-Party”

As we keep enjoying music safely from our homes, let’s enjoy it “in the fashion of the times”! Let’s attend together the première of the concert Cordiform, the very moment it will be aired: Saturday, April the 3rd, 2021 at 7:00 pm. Then, let’s applaud the musicians and have a “souper” afterwards to float our questions, impressions and ideas!
Please, join our “salon” around 8:00 pm after enjoying the music, with our Zoom link-in-the-air. Together with the musicians, we’ll share the joy of being an audience and we’ll make it an opening night! You, your friends, and the friends of your friends will be most welcome. Dress code is inclusive, from casual to … courtly.
Download your “carton” here.
Thank you for writing to emc2@emsivictoria.ca to RSVP or for information.

Cordiform
2021-04-03 | Online, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Ten Songs from the Chansonnier de Jean de Montchenu
Julie Ryning voice and Katelyn Clark clavisimbalum
Chansonnier de Jean de Montchenu, c.1475 (Henri de Rothschild MS 2973, Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris)
This program features ten stunning works taken from the fifteenth-century Chansonnier de Jean de Montchenu. The heart-shaped songbook was copied around 1475 and created for a priest named Jean de Montchenu, who was living in Geneva at this time. The beautifully adorned and carefully created manuscript sits in a cordiform (heart shape) filled with musical scores and lavish images. The book contains 43 songs and is not strictly a “chansonnier” as only 30 of the songs are in French. The remaining works are in Italian save for one Castilian example. Almost all of the songs from Montchenu’s collection have love as a predominant theme, not surprising in light of the book’s heart shape. Although most works are anonymous, popular composers such Dunstable and Dufay are also present within the collection. Our interpretation of the cordiform’s music includes both vocal interpretation with semi-improvised instrumental accompaniment and keyboard intabulations. Intabulating vocal music for instruments—such as lute or clavisimbalum—was common practice during the 1400s and suggests a different way in which this repertoire could have been performed and heard in and around court.

This online performance will be freely available from April 3rd here.

Learn more about the concert with the musicians’ interview and the lyrics and translations.
Attend the premiere with the EMSI audience and applaud Duo Corvi at our Zoom Cordiform party!

Donations are greatly appreciated!

On-the-Air Party
2021-02-28 17:30 - 20:00 | Online, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
You are invited to the On-the-Air Party
As we are to enjoy music safely from our homes, let’s enjoy it “in the fashion of the times”! Let’s attend together the première of the concert Airs de Cour and Courtly Airs, the very moment it will be aired: Sunday, February the 28th, 2021 at 5:30 pm. And let’s have a “souper fin” afterwards to float our questions, impressions and ideas!
Please, join our “salon” after enjoying the music, with our Zoom link-in-the-air. Together with the musicians, we’ll share the joy of being an audience. What an opening night! You, your friends, and the friends of your friends will be most welcome. Dress code is inclusive, from casual to … courtly.
Download your “carton” here.
Thank you for writing to emc2@emsivictoria.ca to RSVP or for information. More details are given below.

How to attend the On-the-Air Party
1 Plan in advance. Book the evening of the première: Sunday, February 28th, 2021, starting at 5:30 pm. Invite family and friends to join through the airs. A selection of celestial foods is suggested below for our party entertainment.
2 Get prepared to go to the concert: change and wear your favourite concert outfit. Have a look at our menu.
3 Enjoy the concert, with us, at 5:30 pm on Sunday, the 28th of February: simply click on the link here. (Yes, it is that simple).
4 Join us with the Zoom link-in-the-air at 7:00 pm. We’ll applaud the musicians together, we’ll talk about airs, concerts, poems, love sickness, EMSI and other topics, and we’ll share food and drinks. We’ll be together: an audience!
[5 A phone number, to be called in case of a glitch, will be sent to those who register.]

As for our “On-the-Air” menu, I suggest a selection “à la mode française” (between easy and difficult on the scale of feasibility, but we are walking on clouds when it comes to design menus!)
Disclaimer: note that this is not historically accurate. Everything is light, fluffy, heavenly and eerie, though.
Potage Saint-Germain (green peas, butter, a spoonful of crème fraîche, chopped chives)
Gaufrettes salées (savoury light wafers; alternatively crumpets) and guacamole (alternatively, salmon mousse)
Vol-au-vent (option of meat, in the filling)
Soufflé au fromage (the trick is to eat it hot from the oven!)
Mousses de légumes multicolores (carrots, green beans, beets, acorn squash…)
Purée-mousseline d’aubergines (fluffy mashed eggplant)
Œufs-nuages (baked in the oven after sorting the yolk from the white, served with herbs and cheese)
Pommes dauphines (Dauphine potatoes)
Salade frisée à la vinaigrette (option of meat with the extras, there)
Plateau de fromages (Cheese plate): Saint-André, Saint-Marcellin, Chèvre frais (fresh goat cheese), Bleu des Causses
Brioches and croissants
Crème Chantilly (whipped cream, in a way) or crème-mousseline pâtissière
Petits choux (cream puffs)
Meringues (of all colours, sizes and shapes)
Îles flottantes (floating islands: caramelized meringues served on custard)
Gâteau-nuage au sirop d’érable (Quebec maple syrup pie)
Profiteroles
And of course…
Macaroons
Dark chocolate (in squares, puffs and flakes)
Pistachios, hazelnuts, cashews
Dried fruits
As for wines, let’s fly with:
A dry frizzante wine from Italy as a start
A windy Touraine red wine (a Saumur, for instance) for the egg-puffs
A sunny light Côtes du Ventoux for the cheese
And a lovely “moelleux” (sweet, round) Sauternes for Good night greetings

Additional suggestions are welcome: send them to emc2@emsivictoria.ca, I’ll forward them to everyone who has indicated interest in our party.
Note: Further details, such as reminders of the link to access the party etc. may be sent through email. Remember to set your email to accept everything that will come from the address of the Early Music Society of the Islands: info@earlymusicsocietyoftheislands.ca and from emc2@emsivictoria.ca.
