---

Next Concert:

Ex Umbris

8:00 p.m., Saturday, May 12, 2007
First Evangelical Lutheran Church
1311 Holman (at Caroline) | Map

7:00 p.m. free pre-concert talk.

CHACONA: Dancing in the Shadow of the Cross

For the final concert of Houston Early Music's season, the period-instrument ensemble Ex Umbris will perform Chacona: Dancing in the Shadow of the Cross. The program of songs, ballads and dances from Spanish dominions at the time of the Inquisition includes Arab and Jewish melodies and a portion of "The Ballad of Count Claros."

Ex Umbris (Out of the Shadows) has thrilled audiences and critics alike with their unique and evocative performances of medieval, Renaissance and early baroque music. The musicians of Ex Umbris perform the great art music of the past with verve and polish on their many wind, string and percussion instruments. However, it's their imaginative explorations and reconstructions of the lost and unwritten traditions of early music and their improvisational skills and affinity with the many styles of traditional music that sets them apart. Individually, the musicians (including Grant Herreid, Paul Shipper, Tom Zajac and Tina Chancey) have performed and recorded with a virtual who's who of early music ensembles including The Harp Consort, Piffaro, Hesperus, Waverly Consort, The King's Noise, The Newberry Consort, Early Music New York, Artek, Baltimore Consort and many others.

Ex Umbris has toured both nationally and internationally, having appeared in international music festivals such as the Tage Alter Musik in Regensburg, Germany, the IX Encuentro Internacional de Música Antigua in Mexico City, and are frequent guest performers at Villa La Pietra in Florence, Italy. Their music is featured in the Showtime historical drama 'The Tudors," and they participated as musicians and lecturers in the 12-part music-education series Exploring the World of Music for PBS educational television.

At 7:00 p.m. Ex Umbris member Grant Herreid will give a free pre-concert talk.

Concert ticket prices are $30 for general admission, $25 for seniors and $10 for students (with student ID). Free admission for children under 15.  Tickets may be purchased at the door or by calling 713-432-1744. 

---

Free Family Concert

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 11 am
EX UMBRIS
The Ballad of Count Claros
Latham Hall, Christ Church Cathedral
1117 Texas

"Conde Claros" is a 15th century Spanish romanceros which tells the story of noble Count Claros who falls in love with the daughter of the king, the princess Clara Niña. She also loves him and they decide to marry each other in secret. A wicked servant learns of their marriage, and tells the king. When the king learns of it he is furious, and orders the arrest of Count Claros, who tries to flee, but he is captured at the gates of the city. All the court agrees on his punishment: death. The count is taken to the main square, where the scaffold is set up which will end his life. The people all come out to watch, but at the last minute the princess Clara Niña comes running to try to save her beloved's life.

Ex Umbris presents this tale of love and betrayal with songs and dances heard in the streets of 16th century Spain, Children in the audience join in the singing and dancing. Singing in Spanish and English to the sound of the vihuela, harp, guitar, viol, recorder, flute, shawm, sackbut, and pipe and tabor, Ex Umbris evokes the musical richness of Renaissance Spain.