Past Events

Byron Schenkman and Friends (SEATTLE) Reginald Mobley countertenor (MIAMI) Byron Schenkman harpsichord and direction Doors open at 6:45 pm. Pre-concert talk at 7:10 pm. Byron Schenkman, one of EMSI’s favourite musicians, is joined by flautist Joshua Romatowski, cellist Nathan Whittaker, and countertenor Reginald Mobley in a performance of some of Handel’s most moving cantatas, including Mia Palpita il Cor, and works by Anna Bon, Caldara, and Scarlatti.

Victoria Baroque Jeanne Lamon violin and direction (TORONTO) Rebecca Genge soprano (TORONTO) Kris Kwapis trumpet (SEATTLE) Doors open at 6:45 pm. Pre-concert talk at 7:10 pm. Victoria’s own Baroque orchestra, one of Canada’s most brilliant early music sopranos, and trumpet virtuoso Kris Kwapis are led by the legendary Jeanne Lamon in a performance of festive arias and instrumental works by Baroque masters including Manfredini, Scarlatti, Torelli and Vivaldi. Featuring Bach’s effulgent cantata: Jauchzet Gott allen Landen.

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra (TORONTO) Elisa Citterio violin and direction Doors open at 6:45 pm. Pre-concert talk at 7:10 pm. This all-Bach multimedia creation combines text, music, and stunning projected video and images to explore the world of the artisans—papermakers, violin carvers, string spinners, and performers—who helped J.S. Bach realise his musical genius. In the tradition of the Galileo Project and House of Dreams. Not to be missed! <!--This is the programme -->

Corina Marti harpsichord (SWITZERLAND) Doors open at 2:30 pm.  Harpsichord virtuoso Corina Marti performs preludes, fantasias, and dances from the manuscripts of Johannes of Lublin and Johannes Fischer Morungensis: fresh, lively music that is still danceable half a millennium after its composition. Don’t miss the once in a lifetime opportunity to hear this repertoire.

Chiaroscuro String Quartet (EUROPE) Doors open at 6:45 pm. Pre-concert talk at 7:10 pm. Chiaroscuro Quartet brings together some of the finest period string players from across Europe: France, Spain, Sweden, and Russia. Savour some of the most revered of all string quartets as you have never heard them before: Haydn’s Op. 33 No. 2, Beethoven’s Op. 18 No. 6, and Schubert’s beloved ‘Death and the Maiden.’

Choir of Clare College Cambridge (UK) Doors open at 6:45 pm. Pre-concert talk at 7:10 pm. Thirty-two voices-strong, the fresh young vocalists of the Choir of Clare College give a complete performance of Tomas Luis de Victoria’s 1605 Requiem – widely considered one of the last great masterworks of the Renaissance – interwoven with English and Spanish Passiontide motets by Tallis, Byrd, Victoria, and others.   Co-produced by Christ Church Cathedral

Constantinople (MONTREAL) Marco Beasley tenor (ITALY) Kiya Tabassian setar and direction Doors open at 6:45 pm. Pre-concert talk at 7:10 pm. Italian, Ottoman, and Persian songs are interwoven in Majmua, an early-17th century manuscript from Constantinople compiled by the Polish musician and orientalist Albert Bobowski (Ali Ufki). Bobowski revels in shifting among languages and styles. Constantinople recreates a bridge between European and Asian cultures. <!--This is the programme -->

The Oct 5 Imaginario concert has unfortunately been cancelled due to last minute illness of artist. EMSI apologizes for any inconvenience this has caused to our patrons. Please contact: info@EarlyMusicSocietyoftheIslands.ca for further information   Armonía Concertada (SPAIN) María Cristina Kiehr soprano Ariel Abramovich vihuela de mano Two of Europe’s leading performers of Early Music showcase the work of Juan Vasquez (c. 1500-c. 1560) in songs of aching beauty and sadness. This is Spanish music at its most compelling and moving.

Haydn, Beethoven, von Weber Eric Hoeprich classical clarinet London Haydn Quartet (UK) The programme features Franz Joseph Haydn’s beloved “Lark” Quartet, Beethoven’s early Quartet in F Major, Op. 18, No. 1, and Carl Maria von Weber’s Clarinet Quintet in B♭ Major, Op. 34. A rare opportunity to hear the world’s authority on classical clarinet together with one of the renowned period instrument string quartets.

Accademia Hermans (ITALY) Fabio Ciofini harpsichord and direction In Arcangelo Corelli, the Baroque style reached its apotheosis. Although his music was revered throughout Europe long after its composition, it was was rooted in a time and place: Rome at the outset of 18thC. Corelli’s original music and several anonymous arrangements of it are combined with works by Geminiani and Locatelli.

El Mundo (CALIFORNIA) Richard Savino guitar and direction Joyous, celebratory, with a distinctive Latin twist. The music abounds with infectious rhythms, sweet melodies, and the lively spirit of the Christmas season in Latin America. In the spotlight are 18thC pieces from the Cathedral of Guatemala City.

Chloe Kim, baroque violin Martin Bonham viola da gamba Michael Jarvis harpsichord A star is born! Victoria native Chloe Kim, a student at the Juilliard School of Music in New York, is already an emerging star in the firmament of early music. She returns home with a programme of masterpieces by J.S. Bach and his mentor Dietrerich Buxtehude.

The Baltimore Consort (USA) One of EMSI’s favourite ensembles performs a brand-new programme of music based on Shakespeare’s plays. Danielle Svonavec sings some of the greatest hits from the Bard’s songbook including It Was a Lover and His Lass, Where the Bee Sucks, and Full Fathom Five. Dances and consort music round out the programme.

Concerto Köln (GERMANY) Shunske Sato violin One of the great Baroque orchestras of Europe presents the first ever Victoria performance on period instruments of all the movements of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. This is a rare chance to hear a world class orchestra perform one of the pinnacles of the Baroque repertoire. Added gems are rarely heard works by Locatelli and Valentini.

As the B.C. Government has placed a ban on all gatherings of 250 or more, EMSI will be cancelling the Saturday March 14 concert, Vivaldi in Paris. A decision on the final concert of the season on April 18, Plaisirs de la Chambre, will be made at a later date. Holders of pre-sold tickets will be contacted regarding a refund, offer of a replacement concert, or if they wish to donate their ticket back to the EMSI. The Society thanks…

Emma Hannan soprano Victoria Baroque (PACIFIC NORTHWEST) Soile Stratkauskas flute and direction A sensual selection of music from the salons of Versailles including music by Boismortier, Hotteterre, and Marais. Victoria Baroque is joined by Emma Hanna, one of the brightest young Canadian Early Music sopranos, and two recent and stellar additions to the West Coast Early Music scene: Caroline Nicolas (viol) and Kevin Payne (lute). As the B.C. Government has placed a ban on all gatherings of 50 or more,…