Providence, R.I.--The Providence College Department of Music is increasing its vocal and instrumental concerts this semester with a series of performances by renowned artists including a male soprano and a period instrument Baroque orchestra.
The department kicked off the spring semester with a performance by male soprano Robert Crowe in January. Crowe, who was accompanied by harpsichordist-organist Peter Sykes, performed works by Carissimi, Grandi, Monteverdi, and others, which would have been composed for castrasti singers. Crowe is a world-renowned male soprano who has sung major opera roles in Europe and the United States.
“Each spring I teach baroque and classical music and I like to organize concerts that illustrate live how this music might have sounded during the 17th and 18th centuries,” said Dr. Catherine E. Gordon-Seifert, professor of music and department chair. “This event provided a great opportunity for our students to hear music performed as it might have been in early 17th-century Italy.”
In addition to the Crowe concert, the department is offering a wide selection of events throughout the semester that are open to the public.
“We’ve always brought in high-caliber performers in the past, and all of those performing for us this spring are top-notch professional musicians. We are fortunate that we live in New England and close to Boston and are able to attract excellent performers,” added Gordon-Seifert.
Performances take place in the Ryan Concert Hall in the Smith Center for the Arts unless otherwise indicated below. Campus concerts are free of charge.
Semester highlights include:
• On Sunday, February 26, at 2:00 p.m., violinist Janet Packer and pianist Geoffrey Burleson will perform a variety of duets.
• From March 23-25, the All-Bach Weekend will feature a Friday night performance at 7:00 p.m. by period instrument orchestra the Arcadia Players, who will perform selected Bach Brandenburg Concertos. On Sunday at 3:00 p.m., the department will present the Faculty Baroque Ensemble, who will perform Bach’s chamber music.
• On Friday, March 30, the second annual Keyboard Festival will take place, during which both music majors and non-majors will have the opportunity to play for and be coached by noted invited pianists Solungga Fang-Tzuliu and Sean Duggan. Fang-Tzuliu also will perform on at 7:00 p.m., while Duggan will perform Saturday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m.
For the entire semester schedule of performances, go to the Department of Music's event calendar.
--Robbie Smith-MacDonald ’12
-30-