Langley Community Music School (LCMS) is set to welcome the world-class Italian ensemble, Cappella Artemisia to the Rose Gellert Hall for the 2012/13-season opener on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m.
“We always attempt to present a cross representation of the literature from the well-known masterworks to such rarities that will be heard at this concert,” said Elizabeth Bergmann, LCMS artistic director of concerts.
“Through their work, Cappella Artemisia has unearthed wonderful masterpieces that should be heard. When I first heard a recording of this fantastic group and the exquisite music they are devoted to bringing to the stage, I knew that Cappella Artemisia would be something that our audience would absolutely enjoy hearing.”
The 10-member ensemble consists of six vocalists, two cornetti and continuo. They present an intriguing program of recently unearthed vocal and instrumental music of the 16th and 17th centuries, much of it written behind convent walls where both composition and performance were officially forbidden.
“It was an early example of the women’s movement, expressed through the power of music,” said Candace Smith, Cappella Artemisia founder-director.
“And of course, it also reveals these extraordinarily beautiful works, often written in secret, and in many cases now being heard for the first time since they were first created.”
Smith joins the ensemble on their Western Canada tour as a featured guest, along with her husband and world celebrated cornetto virtuoso, Bruce Dickey.
Founded in Bologna, Italy, in 1991, Cappella Artemisia not only presents a feast of glorious and rarely heard music. With an informative and illuminating commentary, they also open a social and historical window onto the women’s movement of an earlier era. Cappella Artemisia takes its name from the painter, Artemisia Gentileschi, a striking female figure in the 17th century Italian art world whose accomplishments — much like the convent inspired music that paralleled her life — are only now beginning to be recognized. Learn more at their website www.cappella-artemisia.com.
Season subscriptions are available at 15 per cent off regular ticket prices. Rose Gellert Hall subscriptions are $82 adults, $73 seniors, and $58 students. Regular tickets are $22 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $20 for students. Call the box office for tickets at 604-534-2848. The Rose Gellert Hall is located at 4899 207 St.