Baltimore Consort to perform at Hendricks Chapel Feb. 25

Baltimore Consort to perform at Hendricks Chapel Feb. 25 February 02, 2007Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

The Baltimore Consort, one of America’s favorite early music ensembles, will mark its 27th season with a free performance on Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. in Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel.

The performance is a joint presentation of Hendricks’ Malmgren Concert Series and Syracuse University Pulse, and is free and open to the public. Free parking is available in the Irving Garage.

The concert program will be based on Shakespeare and will include approachable music for newcomers as well as seasoned fans. Pulse is now hosting weekly podcasts on its web site, http://pulse.syr.edu, and will feature a preview of the Baltimore Consort performance during the week of Feb. 19. Graduate students in the Goldring Arts Journalism Program in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications produce the podcasts.

“The musical culture of 16th century England flourished under Queen Elizabeth I, whose passion for music shone in her skillful performances as a dancer and keyboard player,” says Kola Owolabi, interim University organist and an instructor in the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music in SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). “We are thrilled to have this rich tradition brought to life by the Baltimore Consort, which has delighted audiences with its heartfelt interpretations of this music.”

Founded in 1980 to perform the instrumental music of Shakespeare’s time, the Baltimore Consort performs arrangements of early music from England, Scotland, France and Italy. The members’ love for music of English/Scottish heritage has led them to delve into traditional balladry and dance tunes preserved in the Appalachian Mountains and Nova Scotia.

The consort has made 12 recordings on the Dorian label and earned recognition as Top Classical-Crossover Artist of the Year from Billboard magazine. Most recently, its members explored repertory from the Iberian Peninsula and released “Cancionero: Early Music from Spain” in spring 2006.

Besides touring in the United States and abroad, the consort often performs on such syndicated radio broadcasts as “St. Paul Sunday,” “Performance Today,” “Millennium of Music” and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “OnStage.”

The Malmgren Concert Series at Hendricks Chapel was made possible by a generous gift to Hendricks Chapel from alumna Esther Malmgren’42 in 1991. The free Sunday afternoon concerts — held throughout the year — feature a wide variety of music.

Pulse is a collaborative project of SU’s Division of Student Affairs and VPA that seeks to raise the caliber of cultural programming while increasing the number of participating students. It is a model program recognized for quality, diversity, innovation and collaboration, while celebrating and expanding the cultural climate of SU and the community. Pulse programs the best offerings of local arts organizations with performances of internationally renowned visiting artists.