Violinist Stephen Redfield. Courtesy/Pro Musica
Pro Musica News:
SANTA FE —Santa Fe Pro Musica continues their beloved tradition of “Baroque Holy Week” concerts on historical instruments beginning at 7:30 p.m., March 23.
In these inspiring and unique concerts, featuring Santa Fe favorite soprano Clara Rottsolk and violinist Stephen Redfield, the Pro Musica Baroque Ensemble presents music by women composers from the French court of the Sun King, Louis XIV (1638–1715).
Discovery Series:
Conversation and Performance
10 A.M. Sunday, March 24 | Nüart Gallery | Free, but reservations required
Soprano Rottsolk and harpsichordist David Solem explore the rarified music of women composers and performers that emanated from the French king’s court. Coffee and pastries from Chocolate Maven are included.
Women of Distinction Initiative:
Santa Fe Pro Musica celebrates women’s musical contributions with a concert featuring frequent Pro Musica vocal soloist, Rottsolk, and the 17th century women composers Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, Antonia Bembo, Julie Pinel, and Mademoiselle Duval.
About French Baroque Women Composers:
For millennia, women have participated in music-making, whether in taverns, homes or palaces. However, only women from the wealthiest families had the money and leisure to become musicians with the education to write down their accomplishments—and if their music was not written down, we don’t have it today. This concert highlights the voices of women from the lavish court of Louis XIV. The Sun King employed the very best French writers, artists, craftsmen, and musicians. This court employed more than 200 musicians and made France the musical, if not the cultural, arbiter of Europe.
Stephen Redfield, violin and leader with the Pro Musica Baroque and Bach ensembles, is also concertmaster of the Pro Musica Orchestra, positions he also holds with GRAMMY-winning Conspirare (Texas), the Arizona and Victoria (Texas) Bach festivals, and La Follia Austin Baroque. He has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the U.S. and is a prizewinner in the Coleman and Monterey Chamber Music competitions. Redfield is a long-time performer with the Oregon Bach Festival where he contributed to numerous recordings, including their GRAMMY-awarded CD. He recently retired as violin professor at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Clara Rottsolk. Photo by Jennifer Taylor
Clara Rottsolk, soprano, is acclaimed for her “pure and shining” voice (Cleveland Plain Dealer), and has had solo performances with Atlanta Baroque, American Bach Soloists (San Francisco), American Classical Orchestra (New York), Bach Collegium San Diego, Colorado Bach Ensemble, San Francisco Early Music Society, Seattle Baroque Orchestra, Pacific MusicWorks, Trinity Wall Street Choir, and at many festivals including Berkeley Early Music, Boston Early Music, Carmel Bach, Indianapolis Early Music, and Philadelphia Bach. Originally from Seattle, Rottsolk graduated from Rice University and Westminster Choir College. She is currently based in Philadelphia where she teaches at Swarthmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr colleges.
PROGRAM:
- ELISABETH JACQUET DE LA GUERRE Trio Sonata No. 1 in G Major
- ANTONIA BEMBO Al Re: Chiaro esempio de gloria
- JULIE PINEL Songs
- ELISABETH JACQUET DE LA GUERRE Violin Sonata No. 1 in D Minor
- MADEMOISELLE DUVAL Suite from Les Genies
- ELISABETH JACQUET DE LA GUERRE Cantate—Judith
TICKETS: $25–$65, Tickets available through the Pro Musica Box Office at 505.988.4640 X 1000 or online.
