“Music of Three Centuries,” the Aston Magna Music Festival’s 2019 summer program of classical and early music, presents stellar musicians and vocalists on intimate stages in the Berkshires, Hudson Valley and at Brandeis University in Waltham, and at Emmanuel Church in downtown Boston.
The festival runs weekends from Thursday, June 27-Thursday, Aug. 8; concerts take place at venues stretching from Boston’s Emmanuel Church and Slosberg Music Center at Brandeis to Saint James Place and the Mahaiwe PAC in Great Barrington, and on stages in the Hudson Valley: Time and Space LTD, Wethersfield Garden, Hudson Hall and the Hudson Area Library.
The nation’s longest-running summer festival of music performed exclusively on period instruments, Aston Magna includes on its roster the finest artists who are dedicated to historical performance. The music of Bach, Pachelbel, Mozart, Castello, Purcell, Beethoven, Schubert and others drive a dynamic program this summer.
“Music in the Age of Peter Paul Rubens” (July 11-13) is directed by Dr. Richard Savino, with projections of Rubens’ paintings as a backdrop to the music. Other noteworthy performers during the season are keyboard virtuosos, Joshua Rifkin on fortepiano and Michael Sponseller, harpsichord; Brazilian violinist Edson Scheid; Todd Williams, natural horn; Jason Fisher, viola, among many others. Vocalists Frank Kelley, tenor; Kristen Watson, soprano; Deborah Rentz-Moore, mezzo-soprano and other fine vocalists are also featured.
Each concert includes a 45-minute pre-concert talk. Great Barrington concerts include a post-concert “Meet the Artists” wine and cheese reception.
June 27, July 5 & 6
The Birth of the String Quartet
Music by Castello, Caldara, Purcell, Telemann, Richter, Mozart and Haydn, with Daniel Stepner and Julie Leven, baroque violins, Jason Fisher, viola; Jacques Lee Woods, cello
June 27, 7 p.m., Slosberg Music Center, Brandeis University
July 5, 7: 30 p.m. Time & Space, Ltd., Hudson, NY
July 6, 6 p.m. Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA
Publicity Photos: click here
July 11, 12 & 13
Music in the Age of Peter Paul Rubens
with projections of Rubens’ paintings
Music from Holland, Italy, England, and Spain
by Caccini, Frescobaldi, Marin, Arañes and others
Dr. Richard Savino, Director; Daniel Stepner and Danielle Maddon, baroque violin; Richard Savino, guitar and theorbo; Catherine Liddell, guitar and theorbo; Laura Jeppesen, viola da gamba; Michael Sponseller, harpsichord; Jennifer Kampani, soprano; Deborah Rentz-Moore, mezzo-soprano; Ryland Angel, tenor
July 11, 7 p.m., Slosberg Music Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
July 12, 7:30 p.m. Wethersfield Garden, Amenia, NY*
July 13, 6 p.m. Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA
Publicity Photos: click here
*Ticket includes guided garden tour
July 18, 19 & 20
The World of Henry Purcell
The Seasons, Squabbling Couples, Sleep Aids,
Comical Duos, Vocal Quartets, and Trio Sonatas
Daniel Stepner and Julie Leven, baroque violins
Laura Jeppesen, viola da gamba; Catherine Liddell, theorbo Michael Sponseller, harpsichord
Kristen Watson, soprano; Deborah Rentz Moore, mezzo-soprano Jason McStoots, tenor; David McFerrin; baritone
July 18, 7 p.m. Slosberg Music Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
July 19, 7:30 p.m. Time & Space, Ltd., Hudson, NY
July 20, 6 p.m. Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA
Publicity Photos: click here
July 25, 26 & 27
Bach, Pachelbel, and Villa Lobos
Daniel Stepner, Edson Scheid and Danielle Maddon, baroque violins; Christopher Krueger, baroque flute and recorder; Laura Jeppesen, baroque viola; Andrew Arceci, violone; Loretta O’Sullivan, baroque cello; Peter Sykes, harpsichord; Aldo Abreu, recorder
Vocalist: Kristen Watson, soprano
(Soprano Dominique Labelle is unable to perform as previously scheduled)
July 25, 7 p.m. Slosberg Music Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
July 26, 7:30 p.m. Hudson Hall, Hudson, NY
July 27, 6 p.m. Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA
Publicity Photos: click here
Aug. 1, 2 & 3
Schubert and Beethoven
Frank Kelley, tenor; Joshua Rifkin, fortepiano,
Todd Williams, natural horn
Aug. 1, 7 p.m. Emmanuel Church, Boston, MA
Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m., Hudson Area Library, Hudson, NY
Aug. 3, 6 p.m. Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA
Publicity Photos: click here
Aug. 8
Season Finale: Bouquet of Baroque Concertos
J.S. Bach
Concerto for Two Violins, BWV 1043
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, BWV 1046
Vivaldi
Concerto for Four Violins
Concerto for Viola D’amore in D Minor
Van Wassenaer Concerto Armonico
Zelenka “Hypocondrie”
Stephen Hammer, Priscilla Herreid and Fiona Last, baroque oboe; Andrew Schwartz, baroque bassoon; Todd Williams and John Manganaro, natural horn; Andrew Arceci, violone; Sarah Freiberg, cello; Michael Sponseller, harpsichord; Marcus Thomspon and Laura Jeppesen, viola, viola d’amore; Julie Leven and Jane Starkman, violin; Anne Black, baroque viola; Edson Scheid, Daniel Stepner and Asako Takeuchi, baroque violin
Aug. 8, 6 p.m. Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington, MA
Publicity Photos: click here
All concert tickets (except Mahaiwe) $40 in advance, $45 at the door; 5-concert subscription $160; Mahaiwe PAC Tickets $25-50, reserved seating. Detailed ticketing information here.
For artist interviews and review tickets: email ellen@ellenlahr.com