Folger Consort 2015/16

FOLGER CONSORT 2015 /16 season of early music

the season bids us

“what fascinating music” –The Baltimore Sun

“Harmonious and delightful” –Washington Life Magazine

“sparkling performances” –The Washington Post

FOLGER CONSORT As early music ensemble in residence for nearly four decades, Folger Consort has explored roughly 600 years of repertoire and performed with a wonderful variety of extraordinary artists. Folger Consort, through concerts and recordings, has brought to life both rarely heard works, like Milton’s Comus, and pieces which have moved millions, like Hildegard von Bingen’s Ordo Virtutum. The music has most often been heard in the intimate setting of the Folger’s Elizabethan Theatre, but at other times resounded through the nave of the Washington National Cathedral, the Music Center at Strathmore, and the grand space of the National Building Museum. Sometimes as few as three musicians take the stage; at times large choirs and orchestras join.

And often, Folger Consort has collaborated with renowned actors, as in last season’s The Merchant of Venice: Music and Poetry, which toured to London’s Shakespeare’s Globe.

Folger Consort also continues the life of early music by commissioning new music for early instruments. All concerts are inspired by the infinite variety of early music from the medieval to the Baroque era.

202.544.7077

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FOR SO THE SEASON BIDS US –Richard III

With each new season of early music we find new opportunities — collaborating with new guest artists, bringing to the stage repertoire so rarely performed, and exploring history, art, and music as a part of an extraordinary institution.

Our 2015/16 season ushers in the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death — and the Folger will celebrate the Bard year-round with exhibitions, theater, lectures, and, of course, concerts. We hope you will join us for the adventure.

Robert Eisenstein Artistic Directors

Christopher Kendall

“A vocal and instrumental feast” –Washington Life Magazine

OCTOBER 9–11

CHANSON MEDIEVAL Music of Machaut and Dufay Guillaume de Machaut and Guillaume Dufay were two of the most important French composers of the 14th and 15th centuries.

Machaut — a priest, poet, and courtier, as well as musician — was the last of the ` trouveres.

But he was also forward-looking, and his motets and chansons became models for later generations. Composing a century later, Dufay stands out for his blending of full, sweet harmonies, flowing melodies, and structures he inherited from Machaut — a synthesis known today as Renaissance style.

With an ensemble of fiddles, harp, citole, lute, flutes, other winds, and three voices In the Folger Theatre

Martin Near countertenor

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Aaron Sheehan tenor

Sumner Thompson baritone

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“Folger Consort gives the most intellectually and musically satisfying holiday concert in the city.”

–DCist

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DECEMBER 18 – 23

THE SEASON BIDS US Christmas Music featuring Guido’s Four Seasons The Italian violinist Giovanni Antonio Guido spent most of his life in France and published his Scherzi Armonici sopra le Quattro Stagioni dell’Anno (The Four Seasons) in the early 18th century in Versailles. It is not certain whether these delightful pieces for violins and bass preceded those of Vivaldi, but both composers included charming poems with each season.

This program combines Guido’s engaging and pyrotechnical “seasons” with Christmas music for soprano and strings by Marc-Antoine Charpentier in a joyous celebration to ring in the holiday season. With string ensemble, featuring acclaimed French violinist Julien Chauvin, and soprano Rosa Lamoreaux At the Church of the Reformation (opposite the Folger on East Capitol Street)

Julien Chauvin violin

Rosa Lamoreaux soprano

JANUARY 22 – 23

THE WONDER OF WILL Early and New Music Celebrating Shakespeare Inaugurating a year of Shakespeare celebration for the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death, Folger Consort presents a collaborative program featuring the twelve stellar English voices of Stile Antico. Songs and dances from Shakespeare and music for his greatest patron King James I resound in the cathedral, along with music by contemporaries William Byrd and John Dowland, including the Lachrimae for five viols and lute.

Viols and voices join in period anthems, and Stile Antico performs a setting of texts from Henry IV by acclaimed contemporary classical music composer Nico Muhly. With Arcadia Viols and vocal ensemble Stile Antico At Washington National Cathedral Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW

In conjunction with the Folger exhibition Shakespeare: Life of an Icon on display January 19 through March 26

Stile Antico

“A wonderful evening of music” –Washington Life Magazine

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“Superb instrumentalists” –Baltimore Sun

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MARCH 18 – 20

PLAYING WITH FIRE Virtuoso Instrumental Music of the Renaissance Shakespeare’s era was a time of rapid developments in instrumental styles; new genres and techniques for winds, strings, and keyboard instruments became popular with the worldchanging technology of printed music. But professional instrumentalists in the Renaissance largely improvised, and so, continuing that tradition, our musicians here incorporate their own arrangements and improvisations, in a performance of remarkable fantasias, dances, and virtuoso diminutions from Italy, Spain, France, and England. In continued celebration of the Shakespeare anniversary, lively “groundling” music — country dances and tunes mentioned in his plays — charms all listeners. With viols, violin, wind instruments of all sorts, lute, and percussion In the Folger Theatre

“A real treat … delightful” –DCist

APRIL 8 – 10

SHAKESPEARE AND PURCELL Music of The Fairy Queen and Other Works Henry Purcell and William Shakespeare are a natural combination — if Shakespeare is the greatest English poet and playwright, Purcell has a plausible claim of being the greatest English composer. Shakespeare, of course, never heard Purcell’s 1692 The Fairy Queen, music for the Restoration version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but it has proved to be enormously appealing to audiences ever since its rediscovery in 1901. The songs, choruses, instrumental music of this monumental piece guestand artists include are performed along with other memorable settings of Shakespeare by Purcell.

With harpsichord, strings, and voices In the Folger Theatre

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SUBSCRIBE

TO ALL 5 CONCERTS! RECEIVE THESE BENEFITS ALL SEASON: • Exclusive access to PREMIUM SEATS

• SUBSCRIPTION to Folger Magazine

• SAVINGS over individual ticket prices

• Hill & Will DISCOUNT CARD for areas businesses and restaurants

• Free ticket EXCHANGES • SPECIAL OFFERS and invitations to other events

JOIN US! BECOME A MEMBER When you subscribe, you can also become a Friend of the Folger Consort. Our members provide fundamental support and enjoy an insider’s view of all that the Folger Shakespeare Library has to offer through special receptions, talks, and gatherings, as well as discounts on tickets and merchandise.

EARLY MUSIC SEMINARS Led by Robert Eisenstein, these lively seminars give music lovers a detailed look at the composers and their worlds. Wine receptions included.

Programs are subject to change.

Box Office Phone 202.544.7077 Fax 202.544.7520 Online www.folger.edu Directions and Parking Street parking is available.

See www.folger.edu for more information.

Metro Take Metro to the Folger.

Capitol South (blue/orange line), 4 blocks away

ORDER NOW FOLGER CONSORT 2015/16 1. PROVIDE YOUR INFORMATION __________________________________________________________________________________ Name __________________________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ ___________ ____________________ City

State Zip __________________________________________________________________________________ E-mail Receive e-mail reminders prior to your ticketed performances and updates on other Folger programs. Folger Consort does not sell or trade your e-mail address.

_____________________________________________ Phone (day)

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2. CHOOSE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PERFORMANCE DAY/TIME o Fridays at 8pm with pre-concert discussions o Saturdays at 5pm (seated Sat at 8pm at Cathedral) o Saturdays at 8pm o Sundays at 2pm (seated Sun at 3pm 12/20 and Fri at 8pm 1/22) SEATING PREFERENCES At the Folger, I wish to be seated in the o Orchestra o Balcony (accessible by stairs) At the Cathedral, I wish to be seated in the o Front Nave o Front Transept # of Seats _________ x $195 =$__________

3. ADD EARLY MUSIC SEMINARS & EXTRA TICKETS Four Early Music Seminars 10/7, 12/16, 3/16, 4/6

# of Seats _________ x $40 = $___________

Bring friends at a special subscriber-only rate to: o DECEMBER’S The Season Bids Us

# of Seats _________ x $40 = $___________

o JANUARY’S The Wonder of Will

# of Seats _________ x $50 = $___________

4. SUPPORT THE FOLGER CONSORT Complement your subscription with a membership and help make Folger Consort programming possible! Members enjoy discounts, exclusive programs, and behind-the-scenes events.

To learn more about the Friends of the Folger benefits and tax-deductibility, please call 202.675.0359 or visit www.folger.edu/friends.

o Individual $75 o Dual/Family $100 o Sustainer $250 o Supporter $1,000 o Patron $500

o Instead of joining as a member, I wish to support the Folger Consort with a fully tax-deductible gift:

Membership $ __________

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5. TOTAL YOUR PAYMENT.............................................................

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6. CHOOSE YOUR PAYMENT METHOD o Enclosed is my check made payable to Folger Consort.

o Mail my tickets.

o Charge my: o Visa o MasterCard o American Express

o Hold my tickets at will call.

Unless indicated, tickets will be mailed in early September.

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7. PLACE YOUR ORDER

By Mail:

Folger Box Office 201 East Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003

Online: www.folger.edu/consort

By Fax: 202.544.7520

By Phone: 202.544.7077

In Person: Visit the Box Office Mon-Sat, Noon-5pm

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Home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, the Folger Shakespeare Library is a renowned center for scholarship, learning, culture, and the arts.

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FOLGER CONSORT

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