Cathy Edwards
Director of Programming
May 8, 2009
I went to Sprague Hall this past Sunday, May 3, to hear Concerti Grossi of the Baroque, performed by music students working with Robert Mealy, director of the Yale Collegium. The concert this past Sunday featured music by Vivaldi, Handel and Bach. Robert was a very dynamic and engaged leader of the ensemble, and this was the first time I had seen or heard the "natural horn" (the valveless horn that is the predecessor to today's horn), which was part of the Water Music suite by Handel.
Robert is working with the Festival to put together the music ensemble that will perform as part of the Mark Morris Dance Group's presentation of the dance-opera Dido & Aeneas on June 25 and 26 at the Shubert. One of the reasons we are presenting the project this June is because we will be part of celebrating composer Henry Purcell's 350th birthday, which is quite a milestone. The Dido project will be the culminating event of what promises to be a fantastic festival-I hope you will join us and see Robert Mealy and ensemble join guest vocal soloists, a chorus, and the fantastic dancers of the Mark Morris Dance Group on stage at the Shubert. And Mark Morris himself will be conducting the music! This is the can't-miss event of the festival.