2018 Events

A fully staged performance of the chamber opera Pimpinone, Telemann’s comedic romp in which an ungovernable maid (Austin’s Gitanjali Mathur) trains a cunning eye on a hapless gentleman of means (NY’s Peter Walker).

The Spanish sought to create a “New Spain” in what is today Mexico and the southwestern United States, and this included the composition of appropriately beautiful music for their new churches and cathedrals. Soon, archives in the New World came to be filled with works that would rival those found in Old Spain herself. We’ll commemorate the 300th anniversary of San Antonio’s founding with 16th- and 17th-century music from both Old and New Spain, including motets by Cristóbal de Morales and Duarte Lôbo, Mateo Flecha’s ensalada La bomba, villancicos by Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla and Juan de Araújo, and a Mass setting by Manuel de Sumaya. The concert, part of the 2018 joint meeting of the American Musicological Society and the Society for Music Theory, will feature the Texas premiere of Francisco López Capillas’s Missa de Batalla, an exciting work based upon a motet by the French composer Clément Janequin.

A fully staged performance of the chamber opera Pimpinone, Telemann’s comedic romp in which an ungovernable maid (Austin’s Gitanjali Mathur) trains a cunning eye on a hapless gentleman of means (NY’s Peter Walker).

The Spanish sought to create a “New Spain” in what is today Mexico and the southwestern United States, and this included the composition of appropriately beautiful music for their new churches and cathedrals. Soon, archives in the New World came to be filled with works that would rival those found in Old Spain herself. We’ll commemorate the 300th anniversary of San Antonio’s founding with 16th- and 17th-century music from both Old and New Spain, including motets by Cristóbal de Morales and Duarte Lôbo, Mateo Flecha’s ensalada La bomba, villancicos by Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla and Juan de Araújo, and a Mass setting by Manuel de Sumaya. The concert will feature the Texas premiere of Francisco López Capillas’s Missa de Batalla, an exciting work based upon a motet by the French composer Clément Janequin.

Sound The Trumpet
Music of Handel featuring the regal sound of the Natural Trumpet,
Including a suite for a Trumpet and Strings based on Handel’s “Water Music” and “Eternal Source Of Light Divine” from the Birthday Ode for Queen Anne.
Plus, a concerto by Vivaldi from his famous “L’Estro Armonico” collection of concerti, a rarely heard symphony by Brescianello, and an anonymous string transcription of selections from Rameau’s “Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin”

Program:
Handel Suite for Trumpet and Strings in D Major
Handel Concerto Grosso op 6 no.1 in G Major
Handel “Eternal source of light divine” from Ode for Queen Anne’s Birthday
Handel “Ombra mai fu” from Xerxes
Vivaldi Concerto for 2 Violins in A minor RV 522
Brescianello Symphony No.1 in D Major
Rameau selections from “Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin”
1.La Forqueray (Suite V)
2.L’enharmonique (Suite VI)
3.L’Egyptienne (Suite VI)

Featuring
Jesus Politron, Countertenor
Daniel Miller, Natural Trumpet

Daniel Johnson, Artistic Director presents Alegri­a: The Spanish Renaissance

Seriously? There are ensaladas on this concert?!? Usually, if you want an ensalada you go to a restaurant, not a concert, right?

Not so fast, my friend; these ensaladas are a treat for the ears and the spirit, but have nothing to do with the delectable edible! Like most salads, they are created from a little of this and little of that, but that’s where the similarity ends. Filled with drama, Biblical quotations, exhortations, lovely melodies, and lots of humor, the ensaladas are toe-tappers from beginning to end! They were extraordinarily popular in many of the Cathedrals of Renaissance Spain—and were even banned in a few!

For a more solemn contrast, our program will explore some of the glorious wealth of polyphonic sacred music from the cathedrals and monasteries of 16th-century Spain, a repertoire that has served as inspiration for fans of choral music everywhere, with selections by Morales, Ceballos, and Peñalosa.

Other pieces in the concert feature the viol consort, led by our guest artist, viola da gamba star Wendy Gillespie, guest percussionist Peter Maund, and 3 sackbut (early trombone) players, led by University of Texas trombone faculty Nathaniel Brickens.

Soloists and featured singers include Jenifer Thyssen, Gitanjali Mathur, Laura Mercado Wright, Cayla Cardiff, Jeffrey Jones Ragona, David Lopez, Tim O’Brien, and featured countertenor, Ryland Angel.

¡Bailamos!

Tonight’s concert consists of music from the Spanish theater during the period known as the siglo de oro. The fame of the poets and playwrights of this time is in stark contrast to the relative obscurity of the music that accompanied their words. Poetry, theater, and music interacted in diverse ways in baroque theaters. Spoken plays were spiced with music—either incidental pieces written for the occasion, or popular tunes worked into the plot. Opera, of course, had its own poetry sung throughout. However, the strength of the spoken theater tradition in Spain helped resist the influence of opera, hardly composed at all in Spain until the mid-18th century. The Zarzuela was developed at court around 1630, with spoken dialogue and newly composed music throughout, such that both music and declamation are integral to the drama. We are complementing the Zarzuela songs with a variety of instrumental music; from the virtuosic guitar music that Spain has been known for since this time to the fashionable, Italian-inflected style of the famous immigrant Andrea Falconieri, to the most rustic dances. We cannot be sure exactly what music was played during spoken plays, but we know there was a good deal of music, and we’re presenting a wide range of what might have been. It is a misfortune that the names of masters such as Sebastián Durón, Juan Hidalgo de Polanco, and Antoni Lliteres are unknown as they are; we are delighted to celebrate their achievements.

“Unknown Unknowns” ABO closes its seventh season with an exploration of some of the Classical era’s lesser-known masters. Our understanding of the Classical era today is so altered by the magnitude of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven that we often forget that many, many composers other than those three were active in the second half of the eighteenth century. This program will introduce you to a varied group of works from the Classical era’s “Unknown Unknowns,” including music by Reicha, Holzbauer, Bonno, and Grétry.

“Unknown Unknowns” ABO closes its seventh season with an exploration of some of the Classical era’s lesser-known masters. Our understanding of the Classical era today is so altered by the magnitude of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven that we often forget that many, many composers other than those three were active in the second half of the eighteenth century. This program will introduce you to a varied group of works from the Classical era’s “Unknown Unknowns,” including music by Reicha, Holzbauer, Bonno, and Grétry.

The Original Carmina Burana: Unplugged & Organic
From the 13th-century manuscript that Neil deGrasse Tyson mentioned recently in Cosmos. TEMP performs unabashedly joyful and passionate songs about love, spring, mythology, and…love!… for soloists and Medieval instruments. Special guests Mary Springfels (Medieval Fiddle), Peter Maund (percussion), and Ryland Angel (tenor & countertenor) join TEMP’s immaculate ensemble for this rousing, earthy, entertaining concert!

The Original Carmina Burana: Unplugged & Organic
From the 13th-century manuscript that Neil deGrasse Tyson mentioned recently in Cosmos. TEMP performs unabashedly joyful and passionate songs about love, spring, mythology, and…love!… for soloists and Medieval instruments. Special guests Mary Springfels (Medieval Fiddle), Peter Maund (percussion), and Ryland Angel (tenor & countertenor) join TEMP’s immaculate ensemble for this rousing, earthy, entertaining concert!

Le Quattro Stagioni – Music of Antonio Vivaldi

Classical and sacred duets from Angela Malek, soprano, and Crystal Jarrell, mezzo-soprano.

Complaints Through the Ages
“I am, therefore I complain.” Humans have always had things to complain about, ranging from life-threatening, quality-of-life issues to imagined or superficial annoyances that simply don’t fit into the notion of what a good day should hold.

Our musical exploration of complaining has an eclectic array of music from Medieval times through the Baroque: Scottish Ballads, French chansons, Dowland madrigals, powerful selections from passionate Italians (Monteverdi, Carissimi, and Sances) and more.

Lots of beauty, some sadness (maybe a few tears in those complaints) and quite a few laughs! With guest Ryland Angel (countertenor), and more!

Complaints Through the Ages
“I am, therefore I complain.” Humans have always had things to complain about, ranging from life-threatening, quality-of-life issues to imagined or superficial annoyances that simply don’t fit into the notion of what a good day should hold.

Our musical exploration of complaining has an eclectic array of music from Medieval times through the Baroque: Scottish Ballads, French chansons, Dowland madrigals, powerful selections from passionate Italians (Monteverdi, Carissimi, and Sances) and more.

Lots of beauty, some sadness (maybe a few tears in those complaints) and quite a few laughs! With guest Ryland Angel (countertenor), and more!

Alamo Baroque Festival presents music performed by consorts of Renaissance and Baroque recorders. This concert will include music of the 13th-17th centuries and will be played by ensembles of four, five, and ten parts using more than 35 recorders.

In our third concert, we explore the world of the Bach Family. Today, Johann Sebastian Bach is the most famous of the Bachs, but in his day, J.S.’s son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, was much more famous than his father. In fact, CPE Bach worked hard to preserve his father’s legacy.

In our third concert, we explore the world of the Bach Family. Today, Johann Sebastian Bach is the most famous of the Bachs, but in his day, J.S.’s son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, was much more famous than his father. In fact, CPE Bach worked hard to preserve his father’s legacy.

“Encounters” – Choral Music of John Taverner and John Tavener

“Encounters” – Choral Music of John Taverner and John Tavener

“Concertos by J.S. Bach, featuring Anton Nel”
The fifth and final concert in La Follia’s all-Bach concert season features the incomparable Anton Nel performing on harpsichord. Featured works are the Triple Concerto in A minor and the Harpsichord Concerto in E major. Stephen Redfield, concertmaster, performs the Violin Concerto in A minor. Marcus McGuff, Baroque flute, and Mr. Redfield join Mr. Nel on the Triple Concerto. All works are accompanied by the La Follia string ensemble.

“Concertos by J.S. Bach, featuring Anton Nel”
The fifth and final concert in La Follia’s all-Bach concert season features the incomparable Anton Nel performing on harpsichord. Featured works are the Triple Concerto in A minor and the Harpsichord Concerto in E major. Stephen Redfield, concertmaster, performs the Violin Concerto in A minor. Marcus McGuff, Baroque flute, and Mr. Redfield join Mr. Nel on the Triple Concerto. All works are accompanied by the La Follia string ensemble.

“Concertos by J.S. Bach, featuring Anton Nel”
The fifth and final concert in La Follia’s all-Bach concert season features the incomparable Anton Nel performing on harpsichord. Featured works are the Triple Concerto in A minor and the Harpsichord Concerto in E major. Stephen Redfield, concertmaster, performs the Violin Concerto in A minor. Marcus McGuff, Baroque flute, and Mr. Redfield join Mr. Nel on the Triple Concerto. All works are accompanied by the La Follia string ensemble.

“Concertos by J.S. Bach, featuring Anton Nel”
The fifth and final concert in La Follia’s all-Bach concert season features the incomparable Anton Nel performing on harpsichord. Featured works are the Triple Concerto in A minor and the Harpsichord Concerto in E major. Stephen Redfield, concertmaster, performs the Violin Concerto in A minor. Marcus McGuff, Baroque flute, and Mr. Redfield join Mr. Nel on the Triple Concerto. All works are accompanied by the La Follia string ensemble.

“Concertos by J.S. Bach, featuring Anton Nel”
The fifth and final concert in La Follia’s all-Bach concert season features the incomparable Anton Nel performing on harpsichord. Featured works are the Triple Concerto in A minor and the Harpsichord Concerto in E major. Stephen Redfield, concertmaster, performs the Violin Concerto in A minor. Marcus McGuff, Baroque flute, and Mr. Redfield join Mr. Nel on the Triple Concerto. All works are accompanied by the La Follia string ensemble.

Alamo Baroque Festival presents Bach Fest! In conjunction with the celebration of Bach’s birthday. Choral, vocal, and instrumental music of Bach featuring ABF Flautist Kristin Hayes, ABF Vocal Artist Susan Olson, and the St. Mark’s Choirs.

Alamo Baroque Festival presents Bach Fest! In conjunction with the celebration of Bach’s birthday. Choral, vocal, and instrumental music of Bach featuring ABF Flautist Kristin Hayes, ABF Vocal Artist Susan Olson, and the St. Mark’s Choirs.

Alamo Baroque Festival presents Bach Fest! In conjunction with the celebration of Bach’s birthday. Solo vocal music of Bach featuring ABF Cellist Morgen Johnson and ABF Vocal Artists Jackie Matava, Erin McAdams, and Michael Zuniga.

Alamo Baroque Festival presents Bach Fest! In conjunction with the celebration of Bach’s birthday. Solo vocal music of Bach featuring ABF Cellist Morgen Johnson and ABF Vocal Artists Jackie Matava, Erin McAdams, and Michael Zuniga.

In conjunction with the celebration of Bach’s birthday and St. Mark’s Lenten offering of Music in the Park, join us for free Baroque music offerings.
Solo organ music of Bach played by Dr. Joe Causby, St. Mark’s Organist and Choirmaster, and organ students from UTSA. As a part of St. Mark’s Music in the Park Lenten Offering, there will be a simple soup and biscuit lunch offered as well.

In conjunction with the celebration of Bach’s birthday and St. Mark’s Lenten offering of Music in the Park, join us for free Baroque music offerings.
Solo organ music of Bach played by Dr. Joe Causby, St. Mark’s Organist and Choirmaster, and organ students from UTSA. As a part of St. Mark’s Music in the Park Lenten Offering, there will be a simple soup and biscuit lunch offered as well.

The string section has been the core of the orchestra since the orchestra was a thing! Go on String Break with us, and we’ll demonstrate to you the development of string ensemble literature, from Renaissance canzonas to Baroque concerti grossi. Much of this music is Italian, but non-Italian composers readily emulated (and copied!) the latest music to come across the Alps. With works from Frescobaldi, Locke, Purcell, Valentini, and more, this program will be a musical springtime jaunt across Europe!

The string section has been the core of the orchestra since the orchestra was a thing! Go on String Break with us, and we’ll demonstrate to you the development of string ensemble literature, from Renaissance canzonas to Baroque concerti grossi. Much of this music is Italian, but non-Italian composers readily emulated (and copied!) the latest music to come across the Alps. With works from Frescobaldi, Locke, Purcell, Valentini, and more, this program will be a musical springtime jaunt across Europe!

The string section has been the core of the orchestra since the orchestra was a thing! Go on String Break with us, and we’ll demonstrate to you the development of string ensemble literature, from Renaissance canzonas to Baroque concerti grossi. Much of this music is Italian, but non-Italian composers readily emulated (and copied!) the latest music to come across the Alps. With works from Frescobaldi, Locke, Purcell, Valentini, and more, this program will be a musical springtime jaunt across Europe!

The string section has been the core of the orchestra since the orchestra was a thing! Go on String Break with us, and we’ll demonstrate to you the development of string ensemble literature, from Renaissance canzonas to Baroque concerti grossi. Much of this music is Italian, but non-Italian composers readily emulated (and copied!) the latest music to come across the Alps. With works from Frescobaldi, Locke, Purcell, Valentini, and more, this program will be a musical springtime jaunt across Europe!

Music and Art of the 18th Century Courts
Music on the Move (Musical Offerings’ museum series) collaborates with Deux for the opening of SAMA’s new exhibit, San Antonio 1718, as part of the citywide San Antonio Tricentennial celebration. Guests are invited to view the entire special collection before the concert. Doors will open at 5pm.

“Bach’s Cantatas as He Performed Them”
The fourth concert in La Follia’s all-Bach season consists of three religious works for choir and orchestra composed for Lutheran Sunday services. La Follia will perform these works in the manner Bach typically performed them: using minimal orchestra and one-on-a-part chorus. Whit Martin-Whitaker from KMFA Classical 89.5 will present a free pre-concert lecture on Bach and the music to be performed beginning twenty minutes before curtain. Free parking, excellent acoustics and sight lines, and ADA compliant.

“Bach’s Cantatas as He Performed Them”
The fourth concert in La Follia’s all-Bach season consists of three religious works for choir and orchestra composed for Lutheran Sunday services. La Follia will perform these works in the manner Bach typically performed them: using minimal orchestra and one-on-a-part chorus. Whit Martin-Whitaker from KMFA Classical 89.5 will present a free pre-concert lecture on Bach and the music to be performed beginning twenty minutes before curtain. Free parking, excellent acoustics and sight lines, and ADA compliant.

“It’s About Time: Companions”.
Expect the unexpected as we explore the musical and theatrical dreamscape a girl who dreams of encountering her love in different times and places throughout history. The centerpiece of the season, Texas Early Music Project’s staged concert (with historical dances choreographed by Toni Bravo) features a celebration of Western music from its earliest days through the instruments, voices, campfires, cathedrals, palaces, and concert halls over the past 10 centuries. 23 singers and 12 instrumentalists perform music by 20 different composers, with Anonymous being well-represented through the centuries. Sometimes seemingly disparate composers are juxtaposed, as are musical genres: 19th-century Bizet with 16th-century Sephardic, 18th-century J.S. Bach with 1940s Americana, and much more. The concert will feature numerous talented musicians, mostly Austin-area TEMP members, with a few others coming in just for this, including New York singers Ryland Angel (countertenor), Peter Walker (bass), and Seattle-based mezzo Erin Calata. Join us for musical journey through time and a dreamer’s journey throughout history.

“It’s About Time: Companions”.
Expect the unexpected as we explore the musical and theatrical dreamscape a girl who dreams of encountering her love in different times and places throughout history. The centerpiece of the season, Texas Early Music Project’s staged concert (with historical dances choreographed by Toni Bravo) features a celebration of Western music from its earliest days through the instruments, voices, campfires, cathedrals, palaces, and concert halls over the past 10 centuries. 23 singers and 12 instrumentalists perform music by 20 different composers, with Anonymous being well-represented through the centuries. Sometimes seemingly disparate composers are juxtaposed, as are musical genres: 19th-century Bizet with 16th-century Sephardic, 18th-century J.S. Bach with 1940s Americana, and much more. The concert will feature numerous talented musicians, mostly Austin-area TEMP members, with a few others coming in just for this, including New York singers Ryland Angel (countertenor), Peter Walker (bass), and Seattle-based mezzo Erin Calata. Join us for musical journey through time and a dreamer’s journey throughout history.

“It’s About Time: Companions”.
Expect the unexpected as we explore the musical and theatrical dreamscape a girl who dreams of encountering her love in different times and places throughout history. The centerpiece of the season, Texas Early Music Project’s staged concert (with historical dances choreographed by Toni Bravo) features a celebration of Western music from its earliest days through the instruments, voices, campfires, cathedrals, palaces, and concert halls over the past 10 centuries. 23 singers and 12 instrumentalists perform music by 20 different composers, with Anonymous being well-represented through the centuries. Sometimes seemingly disparate composers are juxtaposed, as are musical genres: 19th-century Bizet with 16th-century Sephardic, 18th-century J.S. Bach with 1940s Americana, and much more. The concert will feature numerous talented musicians, mostly Austin-area TEMP members, with a few others coming in just for this, including New York singers Ryland Angel (countertenor), Peter Walker (bass), and Seattle-based mezzo Erin Calata. Join us for musical journey through time and a dreamer’s journey throughout history.

Deux is collaborating with Joanie Christianson and her group Musical Offerings in an exciting program of baroque courtly music! Included are instrumental and vocal works from the courts of Louis XIV of France, Georg I of England, Phillip V of Spain, Frederick the Great of Prussia, Queen Christina of Sweden and Queen Anne of England. The vocal pieces include excerpts from Alessandro Scarlatti’s Endimione e Cintia, the Spanish opera Los Elementos by Antonio di Literes, as well as the lovely Tenebrae by Francois Couperin. San Antonio Symphony players Joanie Christiansen and Beth Girko will be on violin with Qizhen Liu on cello. Austin Symphony principal harpist, Elaine Barber will play the triple (baroque period) harp.

“When Freddie Met Frankie”
A glimpse into the world of the music-obsessed, flute-playing Frederick the Great, whose complex relationship with the French philosopher Voltaire began before the author’s residence at court and extended beyond his abrupt departure. The concert will consist of works by composers employed, admired, or coveted by the king, including JS and CPE Bach, Hasse, Schaffrath, Graun, Benda, and Čart, interspersed with readings from Frederick’s correspondence with Voltaire.

“When Freddie Met Frankie”
A glimpse into the world of the music-obsessed, flute-playing Frederick the Great, whose complex relationship with the French philosopher Voltaire began before the author’s residence at court and extended beyond his abrupt departure. The concert will consist of works by composers employed, admired, or coveted by the king, including JS and CPE Bach, Hasse, Schaffrath, Graun, Benda, and Čart, interspersed with readings from Frederick’s correspondence with Voltaire.

Concert Finale: Repertoire includes Zadok the Priest (G. F. Handel), Welcome to All Pleasures (Henry Purcell), and Dixit Dominus (Handel). Official Tricentennial Event.

A World Tour of the Baroque complete with repertoire from England, France, Germany, Spain including verbal program notes from Faculty. Official Tricentennial Event.

Alamo Baroque Festival String Faculty offer private and group instruction at St. Mark’s. This includes “Intro to the Viol Consort.” Sign up at the website below.

“Bach’s Herd of Harpsichords”
The third concert in La Follia’s all-Bach concert season is a reprise of one of its most popular programs ever: Bach’s concertos for one, two, three, and four (!) harpsichords. Performing are director Keith Womer, Lenora McCroskey, Jeffrey Jones-Ragona, and William Cory, with the La Follia string ensemble. Keith Womer will give a lecture twenty minutes before curtain about the harpsichord and Bach’s pioneering concertos for it, with demonstrations at the keyboard.

“Bach’s Herd of Harpsichords”
The third concert in La Follia’s all-Bach concert season is a reprise of one of its most popular programs ever: Bach’s concertos for one, two, three, and four (!) harpsichords. Performing are director Keith Womer, Lenora McCroskey, Jeffrey Jones-Ragona, and William Cory, with the La Follia string ensemble. Keith Womer will give a lecture twenty minutes before curtain about the harpsichord and Bach’s pioneering concertos for it, with demonstrations at the keyboard.