ARTEK, based in New York City and with a stellar reputation as one of America’s top early music ensembles, presents its 38th season of concerts of musically significant, rarely-heard repertoire performed on period instruments in historical style, featuring the finest early music artists. “Deeply considered, beautifully sung…consistently polished, finely balanced performances.” – Allan Kozinn, The New York Times.
MUSIC FROM THE HABSBURG COURT
Thursday February 16th, 2023 at 7:00PM
Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church
552 West End Avenue
New York, NY 10024
ARTEK presents a concert of music from the Habsburg Court under Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. The program includes excerpts from the opera Orfeo by Fux, arias by Conti and Caldara, and chamber music by Fux, featuring soprano Christina Kay and countertenor David Dickey. Due to the Habsburg Court’s musical influence, many European composers set out to join its ranks. If they found favor with the Court, they would gain the financial support necessary to fund their truly innovative music.
Program:
Johann Joseph Fux (1660-1741): Excerpts from the opera Orfeo
Francesco Bartolomeo Conti (1681/2-1732): Cantata, Lontananza dell’ amato; Sonata for mandolino
Gottlieb Muffat (1690-1770): Capriccio Desperata
Antonio Caldara (1670-1736): Cantata, Vicino a un rivoletto
(approx. one hour in duration)
About the Soloists:
Soprano Christina Kay’s sharp ear, vocal flexibility, and love for collaboration have allowed her to enjoy a multi-faceted career as a soloist and ensemble singer, from opera, musical theater, and art song, to early, contemporary, and folk music. For the 2022-2023 season, she is thrilled to join The Western Wind, a vocal sextet dedicated to the special beauty and variety of a cappella music. This season also sees the launch of her own ensemble, Filigree, co-founded with mezzo-soprano Kim Leeds. Filigree’s mission is to push the boundaries of improvised ornamentation, rhetorical drama, and creative programming to reshape the modern concert experience. In New York City, she performs with period ensembles ARTEK and The American Classical Orchestra, and has also appeared with Brooklyn Baroque, Ensemble Leonarda, and Gotham Early Music.
David Dickey, countertenor, performs around the country as a soloist, choral singer and orchestral musician. He frequently sings with Early Music New York, Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity in New York City and with the Choir of Men and Boys at St. Thomas Church. He also regularly appears with the medieval group Concordian Dawn, and can be heard on their debut album Fortuna Antiqua et Ultra. Mr. Dickey is also a highly sought after specialist as a historical woodwind player and can be heard playing oboe and recorder with baroque orchestras around the world, including the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, The Handel and Haydn Society, Philharmonia Baroque, and The English Concert. Mr. Dickey holds a Master of Music from the Juilliard School in Historical Performance.
This program will also feature Daniel Swenberg, baroque lute, theorbo and mandolino; Arnie Tanimoto, cello; Jeremy Rhizor, violin; Nina Stern, chalumeau; David Ross, flute; and Gwendolyn Toth, ARTEK director and lautenwerk, all on period instruments.
The program lasts approximately 70 minutes. Covid protocols: masks will be required for all audience members. Musicians will perform unmasked.
Tickets:
$15, $25, $50. All seats reserved.
Tickets are available in advance from Gotham Early Music Scene (GEMS). www.gemsny.org/events/artek or call (212) 866-0468.
For further information or to set up an interview:
Call: (917) 482–8645
Email: artekearlymusic@gmail.com
Website: http://www.artekearlymusic.org
