The Connecticut Early Music Society (CEMS) will present its 39th annual Festival, a series of three virtual performances, on June 11th, 12th and 13th. CEMS Artistic Director Ian Watson has planned an eclectic concert program, ranging from French baroque dance music to seventeenth century songs of the sea, culminating with works by Early Music giants Bach and Vivaldi. This year’s Festival highlights area venues with Connecticut native Sarah Janovitch featured in a program from the Custom House Maritime Museum in New London, and the final concert recorded at the historic George Kent Performance Hall in Westerly. Connecticut Early Music Society is renowned for performances by world-class musicians playing instruments of the period, retaining the vibrancy and excitement the composers intended.
Friday, June 11th at 5 pm - GAMES & GROUNDS, from the Maritime Museum in New London
Music and dance artists from the illustrious early music ensemble Les Délices perform musical versions of Aesop’s fables as well as a newly choreographed interpretation of Rebel’s Caractères de la danse.
Saturday, June 12th at 5 pm - SEA INTERLUDES, from George Kent Performance Hall in Westerly
Norwich native and Yale School of Music graduate Sarah Yanovitch, soprano, is featured in a program including Incidental Music to The Tempest by Matthew Locke, 17th century songs by Henry Purcell and contemporaries, and Purcell’s Suite from Abdelazer. Artistic Director Ian Watson conducts the Connecticut Early Music Festival Ensemble.
Sunday, June 13th at 5pm - THE ITALIAN CONNECTION
A program of sinfonias, sonatas and concertos linking the two masters of the Baroque- Vivaldi and Bach. Soloists Aisslinn Nosky on violin and Guy Fishman on cello join the Connecticut Early Music Festival Ensemble, conducted by Ian Watson.
The Connecticut Early Music Festival virtual concerts will be available to ticket holders for viewing through June 30th. Tickets are $25 each or $60 for all three performances. Student tickets are $5. To purchase tickets, visit www.ctearlymusic.org or call 860-333-8504. Concert proceeds benefit the Connecticut Early Music Society's Annual Festival which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.
Connecticut Early Music Society (CEMS), founded in 1982, promotes the knowledge and appreciation of Early Music in New London County and RI. CEMS presents concerts, lectures and festivals that feature Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and early Classical music performed in historically appropriate style.