These photos are from our Christmas concert by the Baltimore Consort, 11 December 2012
Photo credits: Donn Mumma
Celebrate the Yuletide season with the engaging music of this dynamic group.With their always festive cornucopia of instruments—lute, cittern, viols, crumhorns, recorders, rebec and percussion—this virtuosic ensemble offers old carols and dance tunes from the British Isles, Germany, France, Spain and the New World.
–> Read in PDF format Wassail Program, 2012-12-11
THE BALTIMORE CONSORT
Old Carols and Dance Tunes from the British Isles,
France, Spain, Germany, and Appalachia
Click to download Press Release
Baltimore Consort celebrates holidays with Houston Early Music
“Wassail, Wassail!” program includes traditional carols and dance tunes from the British Isles, France, Spain, Germany and Appalachia
HOUSTON, TX – October 18, 2012 – The Baltimore Consort will bring a festive Yuletide program titled “Wassail, Wassail!” to Houston Early Music on Tuesday, December 11. The concert, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, celebrates the season with old carols and dance tunes from the British Isles, France, Spain, Germany and Appalachia.
“We are truly looking forward to being in Houston again,” said Mary Anne Ballard, who plays viols and rebec with the Consort and is a favorite of Houston Early Music audiences. The group has appeared some half-dozen times on the series, most recently in 2008.
A review of the Dufay Collective concert – by Sara Hessel, , music director and producer of “Ancient Voices” on Austin’s KMFA 89.5.
…I couldn’t believe my luck when I heard that the UK-based Dufay Collective would be performing in Houston! I’ve been a fan of their spirited performances for years, and have played their excellent recordings on Ancient Voices many times. Their program of 16th- and 17th-century English music was sheer joy to listen to. Vocalist Vivien Ellis seemed to have stepped right out of one of Henry VIII’s Christmas revels with her clarion tone, excellent diction and storyteller’s sense. Especially memorable was an anonymous ballad called “To drive the cold winter away,” and the very moving “Thys endere nyghyt,” gorgeously arranged by director William Lyons. It was fascinating to watch the players switch effortlessly from one instrument to another: Mr. Lyons played flute, recorder, curtal (an ancestor of the bassoon) and bagpipes!…
Looking for a great last-minute gift for a music lover? From now until the end of the year (Dec. 31 2011) you can pre-purchase the 2012-2013 season of Houston Early Music. We can’t tell you exactly what will be on the program, but you can expect fine concerts similar to those you have enjoyed in the past. And you will lock in the current price. Continue reading
England’s Dufay Collective has been exploring Medieval and Renaissance music since 1987. In those years, they’ve released 10 recordings and have performed all over the world, from Morocco to Australia – but never before in Texas.
That will change Sunday when Houston Early Music brings the group to town to present To Drive the Cold Winter Away – Christmas Revelry in Renaissance England at Christ Church Cathedral.
Earlier this week, Dufay Collective artistic director William Lyons spoke from London about his ensemble, the program they’ll present in Houston – and his experiences in the film business.
Q:What can you say about the music you’ll be performing?
continue reading at:
Christ Church Cathedral, 5:00 p.m.
1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002
Pre-concert talk at 4:15 p.m.
Dufay Collective members
Download full Press Release (Word Docs format | PDF format)
Media contact:
Susan Love Fitts
936-597-8825
susan@susanlovefitts.com
Houston Early Music presents UK-based Dufay Collective
HOUSTON, TX – October 4, 2011 – Houston Early Music will celebrate the holiday season with a performance by the Dufay Collective on Sunday, December 11. The concert, which will feature Christmas music from Renaissance England, begins at 5 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002.