25 Aug SalonEra features innovative programs & new formats in its fourth season
SalonEra (SE) was launched as a webseries in 2020 to share a world of early music with a dedicated global audience at home. Since the beginning, SalonEra’s winning formula has combined high-quality recordings with insights from an inspiring slate of guest artists. Over 35 episodes later, the award-winning series is increasingly featuring in-person performances and interviews, expanded to include podcast versions of episodes and – new this season – they’ll introduce SalonEra Sessions, a free live-taping experience accessible to Cleveland fans of SE.
SalonEra’s 4th season will include seven new video episodes highlighting a diverse range of repertoire. In addition, The SalonEra podcast will also release exclusive episodes about select programming from Les Délices’ 2023-24 15th Anniversary Season, featuring musical insights, historical context, and audio highlights. New Episodes drop monthly (detailed schedule below).
Each episode of SalonEra streams free with a suggested donation of $15/episode. Video episodes are available from their premiere date through June 30, 2024, with podcast versions of the same episodes available at salonera.org and wherever podcasts are heard.
SalonEra Executive Producer Debra Nagy is excited about this season’s programming and about how the series has continued to expand her ensemble’s outlook, “Every SalonEra episode is unique because each one is guided by the personalities, perspectives, and contributions of our special guests. That – and our process of remote production – has enabled a lot of artistic freedom! This season, audiences can enjoy (and learn about) the sights and sounds from King Henry VIII’s flagship The Mary Rose (Shipwreck!), Ignatius Sancho’s London (Sancho’s Songbook), Gilded-Age Chicago, and much more.”
SalonEra is constantly innovating to find new ways to engage with and expand its audience. New this season, SalonEra Sessions will provide Cleveland-based fans the chance to attend free live tapings of two episodes: Songs for Social Justice (Sept. 23rd at 3 pm) and Inside the Goldbergs (Feb. 17th at 3 pm). Attendees will enjoy live music and insights from featured guests during the 75 minute experience. Hosted at the historic Heights Theater in Cleveland Heights, no tickets are required to attend SE Sessions. Nagy added, “Audiences love to hear from and feel a personal connection with artists – and artists really feed off the audience’s energy. SalonEra Sessions will be a great way to increase engagement and provide a really unique musical experience for local audiences and I’m sure that energy and excitement will be felt by our virtual audiences tuning in for online broadcast.”
Set to begin on October 9th with the release of Celestial Soundtrack, SE’s 2023-24 season includes seven new episodes and a re-broadcast of the popular Phoenix of Mexico episode from Season 2 (guest-curated by SE favorite Karin Cuellar-Rendon) Our roster of internationally-acclaimed guests includes new-to-SE artists multi-instrumentalist and early music researcher Peter Walker (Shipwreck!), tenor Haitham Haidar (Songs for Social Justice), and pianist and scholar Dr. Dror Biran (Inside the Goldbergs). SalonEra’s own Digital Media Producer and violinist Shelby Yamin guest-curates the season opener Celestial Soundtrack, exploring connections between music theory and early astronomy.
SE’s Communications & Special Projects Manager and soprano Hannah De Priest will guest-curate January’s Gilded Age Chicago episode, a celebration of early-20th century composers Florence Price and Margaret Bonds. Says De Priest, “This episode is a brilliant example of how SalonEra creates both trans-continental conversations and hyper-local collaborations. England-based pianist and musicologist Dr. Samantha Ege (pictured right) will share insights into the unique life and work of Florence Price, who lived and worked in Chicago during much of her lifetime. A forthcoming album by AGAVE Baroque featuring soprano Michele Kennedy makes the case that early music ensembles should boldly explore songs by Price and I look forward to sharing some of their tracks along with newly-recorded songs by Chicago-based musicians.”
SalonEra continues its SE Membership Program in its fourth season. With a $125 donation, patrons can join or renew their membership, receiving exclusive access to “the vault” to enjoy Seasons 1, 2, & 3 on-demand. SE episodes remain free to access with a suggested donation of $15/episode which directly supports compensation of guest artists and production costs.
To secure a SE Membership, patrons can use this link and Select $125 SalonEra Membership from the Drop-down menu. An email containing links and passwords to access the full archive will be issued after the donation is received. Email our Box Office Coordinator cheryl@lesdelices.org with any questions. To learn about other opportunities to support SalonEra, including artist and episode sponsorships, reach out to LD’s Executive Director Laura Potter at laura@lesdelices.org.
SALONERA SESSIONS DETAILS:
No tickets are required for SalonEra Sessions; attendance is free with a suggested donation of $20/person. Attendees will be the LIVE audience for a SalonEra episode taping. 75 minutes of music and conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.
Songs for Social Justice: September 23, 2023, 3:00 pm at the Heights Theater
Renaissance lute songs, African American Spirituals, and traditional Lebanese melodies become vehicles for storytelling as vocalists Michael Walker and Haitham Haidar explore themes of identity and belonging. A recorded version of this Sessions experience will be released as a podcast and video SE episode on Dec. 11, 2023.
Inside the Goldbergs: February 17, 2024, 3:00 pm at the Heights Theater
Harpsichordist Mark Edwards and pianist Dror Biran explore Bach’s momentous work and consider the unique challenges and opportunities that Bach’s music has for us all. Presented in collaboration with the Riemenschneider Bach Institute at Baldwin Wallace University and Piano Cleveland. A recorded version of this Sessions experience will be released as a podcast and video SE episode on March 25, 2024.
SALONERA SEASON 4 BROADCAST DETAILS:
SE 4.1: Celestial Soundtrack
Premieres Oct. 9, 2023
SalonEra shoots for the stars in this episode, guest-curated by violinist Shelby Yamin. With insights from astronomer Dr. Juan Lora, lutenist Charles Weaver, and cellist Léonie Adams of the Dionysus Ensemble, we explore the musical world of Galileo Galilei and his father, composer Vincenzo Galilei and the fascinating life and music of 18th-century astronomer and composer William Herschel.
SE 4.2: Shipwreck!
Premieres Nov. 13, 2023
Henry VIII’s flagship The Mary Rose sank in 1545 with a chest full of instruments on board. We talk with polymaths Allison Monroe and Peter Walker about telling the ship’s story through music alongside featured performances from medieval ensemble Trobár.
SE 4.3: Songs for Social Justice
Premieres Dec. 11, 2023
Renaissance lute songs, African American Spirituals, and traditional Lebanese melodies become vehicles for storytelling as vocalists Michael Walker and Haitham Haidar explore themes of identity and belonging.
SE 4.4: Gilded Age Chicago
Premieres Jan. 22, 2024
Focusing on the extraordinary music of Black composers and friends Margaret Bonds and Florence Price, who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration, this episode features exciting new recordings and insights from leading scholars and Chicago-based musicians.
SE 4.5: Orpheus Revisited
Premieres Feb. 26, 2024
Join us for French Baroque portrayals of the Orpheus myth featuring beautifully recorded performances of works by Rameau, Courbois, and Jonathan Woody from Les Délices’ digital catalog paired with fresh interviews.
SE 4.6: Inside the Goldbergs
Premieres Mar. 25, 2024
Harpsichordist Mark Edwards and pianist Dror Biran explore Bach’s momentous work and consider the unique challenges and opportunities that Bach’s music has for us all. Presented in collaboration with the Riemenschneider Bach Institute at Baldwin Wallace University and Piano Cleveland.
SE 4.7: Sancho’s Songbook
Premieres Apr. 29, 2024
A man of letters, merchant, abolitionist, theater lover, and musician, Charles Ignatius Sancho made history as the first British man of African descent to vote in a general election. We explore Sancho’s life and legacy in this new episode that includes performances and interviews with Jonathan Woody, Sonya Headlam, and special guests.
ADDITIONAL RELEASES:
CS Podcast: The Pow’r of Musick
Premieres Oct. 23, 2023
CS Podcast: Highland Lassie
Premieres Nov. 27, 2023
Phoenix of Mexico (re-release, podcast exclusive)
Premieres Jan. 8, 2024
CS Podcast: Seasons Transformed
Premieres May 13, 2024
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LES DÉLICES MEDIA CONTACT
Hannah De Priest
Communications Manager
216-302-8404
info@lesdelices.org
www.lesdelices.org