21 Dec Press Release: Announcing SalonEra’s Spring Season!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2020: Launched this past August, live-streamed early music variety show SalonEra has been creating unique opportunities for artists and audiences to share, enjoy, and learn about diverse musical traditions. Designed as a salon experience for the 21st century presented by Les Délices, each SalonEra episode features a mix of newly-recorded and archival musical performances and conversations with episode guests.
Streamed every other Monday at 7:30pm ET (see Spring Broadcast schedule), this fun, interactive series is free to watch with a suggested donation of $10 per episode. Following each episode premiere, the artists answer questions from viewers in a live Q&A. Episodes remain available for viewing for 48 hours post-broadcast on Facebook, YouTube, and at salonera.org/watch-now.
Building on the success of their debut Fall season, SalonEra will continue in the spring with eight new episodes featuring some of North America’s most creative early music musicians.
Les Délices Artistic Director & SalonEra Executive Producer Debra Nagy explained, “the emphasis in programming is on quality, variety, and diversity. We have a fabulous lineup of national and international artists for this spring performing and sharing their passion for music that spans the 14th-19th centuries.”
SalonEra audiences have been growing and responding to the show’s development. Recent audience members commented, “It’s been great to see how SalonEra has evolved since its first broadcast: livelier editing, better quality photo and film, more engaged and in-depth discussions. We’re impressed by the quality of the musicians (both in their playing and knowledge) and by how you’re choosing fascinating and little-known subjects to explore and expand upon.“ Nagy expects there will be interest in and demand for SalonEra even after the pandemic.
Highlights of the Spring 2021 Season Include:
SalonEra Behind the Scenes: Mon Jan 18
SalonEra’s production team & Artists in Residence take you behind the scenes for a look at how our episodes and remote collaborations come together! Expect a little new-to-you music, some fall highlights, and a preview of what’s to come!
Episode 10: Mon Feb 1
Afro-Caribbean Roots
Hatian-American baritone Jean-Bernard Cerin celebrates his cultural heritage and Sherezade Panthaki performs newly-recorded songs by Gaudeloupe-born composer Joseph de Bologne, Chevalier de Saint George. Additional guests to be announced.
Episode 11: Mon Feb 15
Stylus Fantasticus
The brilliant harpist Maria Cleary joins baritone Jonathan Woody and violinists Julie Andrijeski and Tekla Cunningham to unveil a cabinet of 17th century musical wonders.
Episode 12: Mon March 1
Jewish Diaspora
Recorder virtuoso Daphna Mor explores Sephardic song and Jewish liturgical poetry while viola da gamba player Elizabeth Weinfield highlights the contributions of 17th century converso composer Leonora Duarte. Additional guests to be announced.
Episode 13: Mon Mar 15
Women in Music
Harpsichordist Byron Schenkman, violinist Shelby Yamin, and soprano Michele Kennedy join us to feature instrumental and vocal music by women composers Maddalena Sirmen, Maria Nascimbeni, Isabella Leonarda, and others in celebration of Women’s History Month.
Episode 14: Mon Mar 29
Medieval Visionaries
Medieval organetto virtuoso Catalina Vicens and Blue Heron director Scott Metcalfe illuminate medieval visionaries Christine de Pizan and Guillaume de Machaut with music by Binchois, Ockeghem, and others.
Episode 15: Mon Apr 19
The Orpheus Myth
Soprano Michele Kennedy, tenor Jason McStoots, SE Artists in Residence, and scholar Susan McClary explore this tale for the ages from the vantage point of Monteverdi, Charpentier, Rameau, and beyond.
Episode 16: Mon May 3
La Folia
Madness might follow this episode full of virtuosity and wild ground basses! Special guests include countertenor Reggie Mobley and soprano Sherezade Panthaki performing works by Monteverdi, Corelli, Purcell, Marais, Boismortier, and others.
Artistic Director Debra Nagy conceived SalonEra as a fresh and entertaining experience for audiences at home, as well as an important outlet and paid opportunity for performing artists whose careers have been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “While many sectors of the economy are slowly recovering from last spring’s shutdowns, that’s not the case in the arts and entertainment industry. Not only does SalonEra enable creative outlets for individual artists and help bring attention to their work, but these sorts of “micro-engagements” also constitute a modest but important source of additional income when few opportunities exist.”
SalonEra runs concurrently with Les Délices’ Concert Series, which began in October. More information about Les Délices’ virtual Concert Series is available on their website. Subscriptions for the Concert Series ($80-$150) and single tickets ($8-$20) are available via Les Délices’ website (www.lesdelices.org).