Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s maestro Nicholas McGegan shares his insight into the world of the Paris Opera during Rameau’s time. Join us for a behind-the-scenes discussion with one of the great champions of French baroque opera.

See right column for more info

Esteemed UC Berkeley musicologist Kate van Orden illuminates this extravagant court ballet from 1617, soon to be published in a facsimile edition through Ricercar. Based on Tasso’s “Jerusalem Delivered,” Prof. van Orden is joined by singers, lute and a renaissance violin band.

MusicSources’ artistic director Gilbert Martinez performs virtuoso overtures, ballets, imitations of monsters, storms at sea, and other curious airs by Rameau, Daquin, Moyreau, Février, Royer, Balbastre, et al.

MusicSources Debut Series:
The 2007-2008 Laurette Goldberg Scholarship Recipient

Galileo Project explores the musical world of two of 17th century England’s most influential philosophers: Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. The program features instrumental works by William Lawes, Matthew Locke, and Henry Purcell.

Formed in Arizona in 2002, Galileo Project is a young ensemble dedicated to promoting its vision of the inherent accessibility of early music. The group frequently collaborates with visual and performance artists and experiments with creative programming to create a stimulating new framework for early music.

Due to unforeseen events, our concert date with Bruges Prize winner Benjamin Alard has been changed. Mr. Alard is expected to perform live on European television during prime time for the French equivalent of the Grammy's. This is an honor that is rarely given to classical musicians, and never before to a harpsichordist. He is coming on Friday, February 15th to MusicSources, and will perform at 8:00 pm.

Nineteen-year-old Benjamin Alard is the most recent first prize winner at the Brugges International Harpsichord Competition, the most coveted distinction in the harpsichord world. Don’t miss the U.S. debut of this brilliant European artist performing 17th century French and German works.

MusicSources presents the West Coast debut of Canada’s leading harpsichordist. Here he pays hommage to the diabolic virtuoso Antoine Forqueray, as well as presenting musical portraits of Couperin, Rameau, and Duphly.

Vienna-based fortepianist Richard Fuller returns to MusicSources with an unusual program which includes works of Balbastre, Pleyel, Jadin, CPE Bach and Haydn.

Noted for his fiery, sensitive and passionate interpretations, acclaimed French harpsichordist Laurent Stewart represents the “new generation” of specialists of the Grand Siècle. He will perform suites of Louis Couperin and Marchand.

Anthony Martin, Gilbert Martinez, Steve Lehning, and soprano Rita Lilly explore the emergence of the harpsichord as soloist accompanied by instruments and voice. Colorful works of Mondonville, Corette, Duphly and Rameau are heard.