Here are highlights from our previous concerts this season
September 27, 2024
PARISH HOUSE BAROQUE
“Portraits”
The famous English painter Thomas Gainsborough had a passion for music, and many significant composers sat for portraits by him. Ignatius Sancho, Carl Friedrich Abel, Felice de Giardini, and J.C. Bach all were subjects for Gainsborough and left behind not only their portraits but also a treasure trove of musical delights. Their compositions define the “legacy of the Baroque” as the European musical tradition makes its way toward the Classical era. Come hear their works performed live, on period instruments, in a wonderfully unique program.
The Performers
Elisa Wicks, baroque violin
Jennifer Carpenter, recorders
Pam Chaddon, baroque cello
Eric Wicks, harpsichord
Please click on a name above to learn more about the artist. Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Carpenter, Pam Chaddon, Elisa Wicks, Eric Wicks.
You can download the program and notes if you click here.
Program
Dance suite, arr. Jennifer Carpenter– Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780)
Minuet the First
Lady Mary Montagus Reel
Air
Duchess of Devonshires Reel
Trio Sonata in G major, WK 98, op. 16 no. 1 – Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787)
Moderato
Adagio ma non troppo
Allegretto
Duo for Violin and Cello in F major – Felice de Giardini (1716-1796)
Andante
Adagio
Allegro assai
Sonata for harpsichord and violin, op. 1, no. 3 – Francesca Lebrun (1756-1791)
Allegro
Rondeau-Allegretto
Trio sonata in F major, op 8, no 6, WB 40 – Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782)
Adagio
Allegretto
Allegro assai
November 15, 2024
COLORADO CHAMBER PLAYERS
“Bach and Barbie”
Barbara Strozzi was one of the most prolific composers of secular vocal music in 17th century Venice. A genius ahead of her time, Strozzi wrote music and poetry with highly adventurous harmonies. And—amazingly—she published music under her own name. Strozzi was a pupil of Francesco Cavalli and Claudio Montiverdi. Colorado Chamber Players celebrate the music of Strozzi and her contemporaries, along with music of another genius, J.S. Bach, in an intimate short program.
The Performers
Rebecca Robinson, voice
Paul Primus and Barbara Hamilton, Baroque violins
Sarah Biber, Baroque cello
Peter Schimpf, theorbo / lute
Please click on a name above to learn more about the artist. Pictured from left to right: Paul Primus, Barbara Hamilton, Rebecca Robinson, Sarah Biber, Peter Schimpf.
You can download the program and notes if you click here.
Program
Trio Sonata for flute, violin and continuo, in G major, BWV 1038 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Arr. for two violins and continuo by Paul Primus
I. Largo
II. Vivace
III. Adagio
“I Baci” (“Kisses”) for voice, violin, and continuo – Barbara Strozzi (1619-1671)
Toccata 3, for solo theorbo, from Libro Primo D’Intavolatura di Chitarrone, (1604) – Giovanni Girolamo Kapsperger (1580-1651)
Prelude from Cello Suite #1 for solo cello, BWV 1007 – J.S. Bach
Aria “Bekennen will ich seinen Namen” (“I Shall Acknowledge His Name”) for voice, two violins, and continuo, Cantata BWV 200 – J.S. Bach
“Pur ti miro” (“I gaze at you”), from L’incoronazione di Poppea – Claudio Montiverdi (1567-1643)
Arr. for two violins and continuo by Paul Primus
Two songs for voice, two violins, and continuo – Strozzi
“Costumi di Grande” (“Costumes of the Great”)
“La Vendetta” (“Revenge”) from op. 2
February 14, 2025
SÉMPLICE
“Lovebirds” – A Valentine’s Day Offering
Sémplice returns to Happy Hour with a heart-felt concert of Baroque and Renaissance music (and a touch of folk) celebrating the amorous in all its forms—with a special focus on lovebirds! Think music about love, music about birds, music by Byrd (William, the composer), music by Bach (why Bach?—this concert tells you why!)…and much more. And as always, are entertaining stories about the composers, the instruments, and the cultural context in which the music was created.
The Performers
Miriam Rosenblum, recorders
Carla Sciaky, baroque violin, voice
Ben Cohen, lute and harpsichord
Sarah Biber, baroque cello and bass viol
Click on a name above to learn more about the artist.
You can download the program and notes if you click here.
Program
“Jug of Punch” – traditional
Two pieces by William Byrd – William Byrd (1540-1623)
In Nomine a 4, VdGS No. 1, T 393
Fantasia a 4, VdGS No. 2
Andante from Flute Sonata in B minor, BWV 1030 – J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Andante from Flute Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034 – J.S. Bach
Allegro from Trio Sonata in D minor, H 569 – C.P.E. Bach (1714-1788)
“Flow My Tears” – John Dowland (1563-1626)
Robin Galliard – Dowland
“When Daphne from Fair Phoebus Did Fly” – Anonymous (16th century)
Throughout the program—excerpts from “The Bird Fancyer’s Delight” (published by John Walsh, 1717)
March 14, 2025

SEICENTO
Matriarchs of Baroque Music
A consort of Seicento Baroque Ensemble musicians presents a concert of chamber music by women composers of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The program includes music by Maddalena Casulana (1544-1590), Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677), Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729), and Anna Bon (1738-after 1769). Despite extraordinary odds, these women were prolific composers of music that has survived, even though their output was mostly excluded from performances for hundreds of years following their deaths.
The Performers
Gabrielle Razafinjatovo, mezzo-soprano
Carol Codrescu, baroque flute
Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
Joe Gailey, theorbo, lute
Coreen Duffy, Artistic Director
Click on a name above to learn more about the artist.
You can download the program and notes if you click here.
Program
Amor per qual cagion – Maddalena Casulana (c.1544 – c.1590)
Harpsichord / theorbo intabulation
Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
Joe Gailey, theorbo
Chi brama in amore – Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677)
Gabrielle Razafinjatovo, mezzo-soprano
Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
Il Primo Libro de Madrigali, XXIII. L’Affetto humano – Strozzi
Harpsichord / theorbo intabulation
Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
Joe Gailey, theorbo
Sei Sonate per I’ll Cembalo, Op. 2, No. 2 in B Flat Major – Anna Bon (1738 – after 1769)
I. Allegro non molto
II. Andante
III. Allegro
Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
Sei Sonate per il Flauto traversiere, Op. 1, No. 4 in D Major – Bon
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante
III. Allegro assai
Carol Codrescu, baroque flute
Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
Pièces de Clavecin, Livre II, Chaconne in D Major (1707) – Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre (1665-1729)
Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
Aria from Vuò cercando – Rosa Giacinta Badalla (c. 1660 – c.1710)
Gabrielle Razafinjatovo, mezzo-soprano
Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
Click below to look at performances from our previous seasons