Music from Paris, Rome, Venice and Potsdam
July 16 – August 8, 2026
Aston Magna, the renowned historical instrument ensemble led by Artistic Director Daniel Stepner has announced its 53rd Festival Season in the Boston area and in the Berkshires.
The four Festival weekends offer a broad spectrum of works by composers both familiar and lesser known, representing several centuries and styles. The lineup of musicians includes many favorite artists from past seasons, as well as other celebrated artists performing with Aston Magna for the first time.
Concerts will take place Thursdays at the Slosberg Music Center at Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA and “three Saturdays and one Sunday at Saint James Place, 352 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA.
The programs will include the following:
The Genius of the French Baroque
Sonatas and Cantatas of Rameau, Clerambault, and others
Dominique Labelle, soprano
Daniel Stepner, baroque violin
Laura Jeppesen, viola da gamba
Michael Sponseller, harpsichord
Thursday July 16 at 7:00PM at Slosberg Auditorium
Saturday, July 18 at 3:00PM at Saint James Place
Bach in Potsdam, Telemann in Paris
Telemann: Quadro (tbd), and Quartet in E Minor
CPE Bach: Sanguineus und Melancholicus
J. S. Bach: Excerpts from Musical Offering
Peter Sykes, harpsichord
Andrea Leblanc, transverse flute
Daniel Stepner, baroque violin
Laura Jeppesen, viola da gamba
Thursday, July 23 at 7:00PM at Slosberg Center
Saturday, July 25 at 3:00PM at Saint James Place
Music from Less Expected Places
(Julia Glenn, guest director)
Seeking an Other: Music from South America, Scotland, China and more
Julia Glenn and Daniel Stepner, violins
Nathaniel Cox, theorbo/guitar
Andrew Koutroubas, cello
Andrus Madsen, harpsichord
Thursday, July 30 at 7:00PM at Slosberg Auditorium
Sunday, August 2 at 3:00PM at Saint James Place
Gems from 17th Century Venice
Music of Monteverdi, Salamone Rossi, and Barbara Strozzi
Sophie Michaux, mezzo-soprano
Catherine Liddell, theorbo
Laura Jeppesen, viola da gamba
Daniel Stepner and Julie Leven, baroque violins
Thursday, August 6 at 7:00PM at Slosberg Auditorium
Saturday, August 8 at 3:00PM at Saint James Place
Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 on day of show purchased at the venue. Under 30s: $15 with ID, full time students (with ID) and children Free; Card to Culture $2.
To order tickets by phone call 888-492-1283
Tickets On Sale Here | Buy a Four-Concert Package
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and by MA Local Cultural Councils.
