The first performance will be on Friday, May 13 at 8:00 p.m. at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St Martin’s Lane, in Chestnut Hill. The program will be repeated on Saturday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Oakland Avenue at Pine Street in Doylestown, and on Sunday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Christ Church, at 2nd and Market in Old City. Wheelchair access is provided at all venues.
Admission is $35 for preferred seating or $30 for general seating, and admission discounts are given to seniors 65 and over, and to students. To reserve tickets, call Upstages at 215-569-9700.
Philomel’s May concerts will be previewed in an hour-long radio broadcast on WRTI, 90.1-FM, on Sunday May 1, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
Program Details
The May 13-15 program includes trios, quartets, and concertos by Marais, Leclair, Boismortier, and Telemann. Philomel opens with an all-time hit, "The Bells of St. Genevieve" by Marin Marais - one of the favorite works from an earlier generation of composers, and a piece equally popular with today’s listeners.There are three works by Jean Marie Leclair, best known for his dynamic fusion of French and Italian styles - the Trio in D, for flute, gamba, and harpsichord; the Overture in A, for two violins with accompaniment; and the beautiful Chaconne, from 2nd Recreation de Musique,also for two violins with accompaniment.
The Recorder Concerto in G by Joseph Bodin de Boismortier illustrates how a new generation of composers adapted Vivaldi’s concerto style to suit the French musical language.
And finally, there are two selections by Georg Philipp Telemann, a composer who introduced scintillating, conversational interplay that delighted Parisian audiences - the Concerto Seconda in D Major, from the first set of "Paris" Quartets, and an excerpt from the Suite in E Minor, from the 2nd set. Both are for flute, violin, gamba, and harpsichord.
Artists Performing
Performing will be Elissa Berardi, flute and recorder; Nancy Wilson and Vita Wallace, violins; guest John Mark Rozendaal, viola da gamba; and Bruce Bekker, harpsichord.Program notes for Philomel concerts are available on the web prior to the concerts.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events include an appearance by soprano Julianne Baird, who will perform with the Philomel ensemble for their annual Gala Benefit Concert on Sunday, May 22nd. The event, featuring fine wines, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts, will be at the elegant Chestnut Hill estate Homewoods.Additional Information
For information, group ticket rates, or series subscriptions at substantial discounts, call Philomel at 215-487-2344, e-mail Philomel at info@philomel.org, or visit their website, www.philomel.org.Philomel Concerts, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization known regionally for its popular concert series, its community outreach programs in senior centers, public libraries and area schools, its touring, radio broadcasts and recordings. Philomel's 29th series is supported in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.