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H O U S T O N E A R L Y M U S I C
Featuring chant to chamber music -- the best of the past
http://www.HoustonEarlyMusic.org
Ticket Reservations & Information Line: 713.432.1744
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Our Next Concert
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EL MUNDO
VILLANCICOS DE NAVIDAD
RICHARD SAVINO, DIRECTOR

Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002, 4:00 P.M.
Christ Church Cathedral
1117 Texas Avenue

The audience is invited to a fiesta in the Great Hall of Christ Church
Cathedral following the concert.

Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for seniors and students,
and may be purchased at the door or by calling 713.432.1744. There
will be no charge for children 12 years and under.

For more about the program, see
http://www.houstonearlymusic.org/2002/elmundo1.htm


Program Notes:

Jennifer Lane, mezzo soprano; Jennifer Ellis soprano
Richard Savino, vihuela, baroque guitar
Zacherria Carrettiin, Adam Lamott violins
William Skenn, cello and viol
Corey Jamason, harpsichord
Peter Maund, percussion

Throughout the 17th & 18th centuries Spain ruled over an empire that
spread from the Pacific Ocean to the Adriatic Sea. In addition to the
highly developed and culturally sophisticated cities of Mexico and
Lima, Spain governed the regions surrounding Milan, Naples and Sicily.
Throughout this period the close relationship between Spain, Latin
American and Italy provided for a rich exchange of musical ideas.

However, before the era of imperialism Spain was not lacking a
cultural diversity of its own. The Iberian Peninsula had been for
many centuries a multi-cultural society where the influence of the
Moriscos, Sephardim, and Católicos were present in all aspects of
cultural life. With the immigration of the Gitano (Gypsy/Flamenco)
population in the 16th century, Spanish arts, and music in particular,
evolved through the interaction and blend of these cultures. This
provided a fertile environment for an emerging nationalist style in
the arts, one that was uniquely Spanish and exists to this day.

From this culture came the villancico, one of music's most resilient
and popular vocal genres. Originally developed in the 15th century the
villancico evolved through the 17th & 18th centuries to become the
dominant Latin American and Spanish vocal genre. Throughout this same
period the Spanish colonies of Central and South America were well
springs of cultural sophistication. Latin American cathedrals and
courtly life demanded a varied and active musical scene. Often, the
indigenous populations were drawn into the arts and participated in
their production. The musical result was a style that even in sacred
compositions bears the imprint of folk music. The inclusion of guitars
and percussion coupled with dance rhythms, and the occasional use of a
native language demonstrates a close relationship between European and
Indigenous cultures.

Houston Early Music invites you to hear El Mundo bring this wonderful
yet neglected repertoire to life on December 15th, when they will
present a program titled Villancicos de Navidad. This program will
survey the evolution of the villancico from its earliest Spanish
beginnings to the flowering of the sacred Latin American Christmas
villancicos of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Works from
Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and Bolivia, along with selected works from
Spain and Spanish controlled Southern Italy. Featured composers will
include: Roque Ceruti, José de Orejón y Aparicio, Santiago de Murcia,
Rafael Antonio

El Mundo is a chamber group dedicated to the performance of sixteenth
through nineteenth century Latin American, Spanish and Italian chamber
music. Under the direction of lutenist/guitarist Richard Savino and
made up of well known period instrument performers, El Mundo combines
virtuoso string playing with guitars, lutes and harpsichord in a
setting that recreates the distinctive Latin sound of the old and new
world Castellanos, and José Quiroz. For the December 15th program,
the ensemble will be joined by Jennifer Lane, mezzo soprano and
Jennifer Ellis, soprano.

This concert is made possible in part by a grant from the City of
Houston and Harris County through the Cultural Arts Council of Houston
and Harris County


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For information or Tickets, call 713-432-1744
Single tickets: $25 standard, $20 seniors/students
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Our web site http://www.houstonearlymusic.org describes the season's
offerings and is a timely source for detailed information on concerts
and events throughout the year. If you would like to receive our
season program printed brochure, please email or call us. Season
subscriptions (six concerts) are $140 standard, $100 seniors/students.
A three-concert mini-pass is available for $65/$50.



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UPCOMING EVENTS
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THE CALL OF THE PHOENIX
The Orlando Consort
Tuesday, January 28, 2003, 8:00 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church

Early Conversation Lecture Series, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Thomas Crow, University of St. Thomas

English Catholic music of the 14th and 15th centuries, presumed lost
during the Reformation, has re-emerged over the centuries and is
brought to life again by this renowned British vocal ensemble. The
program of stunningly inventive and serene sacred music includes music
by Dunstaple, Forest, Plummer and Pyamour, together with works by
composers whose names will never be known.


PASTOURELLE - The Art of Machaut and the Trouvères
Fortune's Wheel
Sunday, March 2, 2003, 4:00 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral

Early Conversation Lecture Series, 7:00 p.m.
Robert Mealy
Finding the Trouvères: An Exploration of French Culture around 1300

This "virtuosic and joyful" ensemble (The Cleveland Plain Dealer)
presents an evening of delights from the springtime of Medieval
France, from the birth of the trouvère tradition to the intricate
music of Machaut, "the last of the trouvères." Intimate monophony and
splendid polyphony are interlaced with exhilarating instrumental dance
music to bring to life the rich tapestry of 14th century France.


VIVA VENEZIA!
Musica Pacifica
Friday, April 11, 2003, 8:00 p.m.
Location TBA

Delight in an evening of incandescent music by Baroque masters of The
Serene Republic of Venice. This West Coast ensemble, each member of
which "is a genuine virtuoso" (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), will dazzle
you in performances of works by Abinoni, Uccelini, Legrenzi and
Vivaldi.


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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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If you would like to help bring the joy of early music to Houston, and
to get to know the folks behind the scenes, please call our phone line
713-432-1744 or email us at <info@...>. Our
Volunteer Coordinator will contact you to find ways you can get
involved. It takes more than excellent musicians to make the music: it
won't happen without the invaluable effort of ushers, envelope
stuffers, concert assistants, ticket takers, reception hosts ... and
many more people just like you. If you love the music and have some
time to give, please let us know.


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ABOUT HOUSTON EARLY MUSIC
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Houston Early Music is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to
further the appreciation and performance of early music of the
European traditions and other world cultures, presenting
internationally famous musicians playing original instruments in
historically-informed performances. In addition we reach out to new
and diverse audiences through an educational outreach program on the
elementary, secondary, college, and community levels.

You may reach us at

Houston Early Music
P.O. Box 271193
Houston TX 77277-1193
Phone 713-432-1744
email info@...
web http://www.houstonearlymusic.org/


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