Season 2016-17 "The Renaissance Woman"
This season we are delighted to offer our audiences performances of some of the most beautiful music ever written. Music written by, about and inspired by women has been obscured by history and only recently has been rediscovered and brought to the forefront. You'll enjoy music from the Medieval period by women troubadours (trouvères), Renaissance lady masses including Johannes Ockeghem's exquisite and rarely performed Missa Ma Maitresse, and the vast and varied music of the early baroque “musical nuns” including Chiara Margarita Cozzolani, Raffaella Aleotti and Isabella Leonarda whose musical output rivaled that of J.S. Bach. By popular demand, our season will end with our Opera Early & Ancient series' much-anticipated revival of our East-Indian infused production of Hildegard's Ordo Virtutum.
The title of our season was suggested by the idea of "The Renaissance Man" a concept that rose out of the Renaissance to describe a polymath; someone whose expertise spanned a significant number of different subject areas, the most notable example being Leonardo da Vinci. However, women of the period such as Artemisia Gentileschi, an artist and musician (her painting of a "Young Woman with Violin" is upper left) and the women composers featured in our March concert, proved themselves just as capable and talented as their male counterparts and hence "The Renaissance Woman" was born for our thirteenth season.
This season we are delighted to offer our audiences performances of some of the most beautiful music ever written. Music written by, about and inspired by women has been obscured by history and only recently has been rediscovered and brought to the forefront. You'll enjoy music from the Medieval period by women troubadours (trouvères), Renaissance lady masses including Johannes Ockeghem's exquisite and rarely performed Missa Ma Maitresse, and the vast and varied music of the early baroque “musical nuns” including Chiara Margarita Cozzolani, Raffaella Aleotti and Isabella Leonarda whose musical output rivaled that of J.S. Bach. By popular demand, our season will end with our Opera Early & Ancient series' much-anticipated revival of our East-Indian infused production of Hildegard's Ordo Virtutum.
The title of our season was suggested by the idea of "The Renaissance Man" a concept that rose out of the Renaissance to describe a polymath; someone whose expertise spanned a significant number of different subject areas, the most notable example being Leonardo da Vinci. However, women of the period such as Artemisia Gentileschi, an artist and musician (her painting of a "Young Woman with Violin" is upper left) and the women composers featured in our March concert, proved themselves just as capable and talented as their male counterparts and hence "The Renaissance Woman" was born for our thirteenth season.
NEXT CONCERT:
Wonder Women - with guest artists: Katherine Heater, harpsichord & Gretchen Claassen, viola da gamba/cello
May 13 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets now!
Seventh Avenue Performances @ Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
May 14 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets now!
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
3 Bayview Avenue, Belvedere
May 20 - 8:00 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets now!
Trianon Theatre
72 North Fifth Street, San Jose
May 21 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets now!
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
May 24 - 11:45 am
Santa Clara University Music & Dance Facility Recital Hall
Corner of Lafayette & Franklin Streets, Santa Clara
(NOTE: The May 24 concert is part of Santa Clara University's free noontime concert series, open to the public. This concert will be a reduced-time version of the program listed below. No tickets or reservations are required.)
Guest artists Katherine Heater, harpsichord and Gretchen Claassen, viola da gamba/cello, join us for this very special concert featuring works by early women composers for women's voices including several west coast and modern-day premieres. Music includes that of the late Renaissance/early Baroque Italian "musical nuns," Raffaella Aleotti, Caterina Assandra, Chiara Margarita Cozzolani, Isabella Leonarda, Maria Xaveria Peruchona, and Lucrezia Orsini Vizzana, as well as a motets by Maria Francesca Nascinbeni dAncona and Mexican poet/philosopher Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and chant by Hildegard von Bingen, Beatritz de Dia and Kassia.
Wonder Women - with guest artists: Katherine Heater, harpsichord & Gretchen Claassen, viola da gamba/cello
May 13 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets now!
Seventh Avenue Performances @ Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
May 14 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets now!
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
3 Bayview Avenue, Belvedere
May 20 - 8:00 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets now!
Trianon Theatre
72 North Fifth Street, San Jose
May 21 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets now!
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
May 24 - 11:45 am
Santa Clara University Music & Dance Facility Recital Hall
Corner of Lafayette & Franklin Streets, Santa Clara
(NOTE: The May 24 concert is part of Santa Clara University's free noontime concert series, open to the public. This concert will be a reduced-time version of the program listed below. No tickets or reservations are required.)
Guest artists Katherine Heater, harpsichord and Gretchen Claassen, viola da gamba/cello, join us for this very special concert featuring works by early women composers for women's voices including several west coast and modern-day premieres. Music includes that of the late Renaissance/early Baroque Italian "musical nuns," Raffaella Aleotti, Caterina Assandra, Chiara Margarita Cozzolani, Isabella Leonarda, Maria Xaveria Peruchona, and Lucrezia Orsini Vizzana, as well as a motets by Maria Francesca Nascinbeni dAncona and Mexican poet/philosopher Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and chant by Hildegard von Bingen, Beatritz de Dia and Kassia.
Ordo Virtutum - with guest artists:
Deepak Ram, bansuri master & Diana Rowan, Celtic harper
Dates and venues - to be determined
The mystic, Medieval nun Hildegard von Bingen would be remarkable in any century.
A skilled composer, physician, philosopher and theologian, and stateswoman, are
just some of her many abilities that have been recorded. Back by popular demand
our Opera Early & Ancient series brings back our acclaimed East-Indian infused
staging of this, her musical magnum opus that will include our dance troupe bringing
the dancing Hildegard included in this work to life. Rarely performed, The Los Angeles
Times said of our production that "Hildegard's music rang out anew ..."
Deepak Ram, bansuri master & Diana Rowan, Celtic harper
Dates and venues - to be determined
The mystic, Medieval nun Hildegard von Bingen would be remarkable in any century.
A skilled composer, physician, philosopher and theologian, and stateswoman, are
just some of her many abilities that have been recorded. Back by popular demand
our Opera Early & Ancient series brings back our acclaimed East-Indian infused
staging of this, her musical magnum opus that will include our dance troupe bringing
the dancing Hildegard included in this work to life. Rarely performed, The Los Angeles
Times said of our production that "Hildegard's music rang out anew ..."
We're especially excited to once again be joined by Deepak Ram, bansuri master and Diana Rowan, Celtic harper for our revival of this production.
Deepak Ram is a versatile artist who is well known for his evocative performances in traditional North Indian (Hindustani) classical music, his collaborations with musicians of other genres, his innovative compositions and for his excellence as a teacher, and is considered one of the great bansuri masters performing throughout the world today.
Deepak Ram is a versatile artist who is well known for his evocative performances in traditional North Indian (Hindustani) classical music, his collaborations with musicians of other genres, his innovative compositions and for his excellence as a teacher, and is considered one of the great bansuri masters performing throughout the world today.
An award-winning musical artist performing worldwide, Diana Rowan’s playing and compositions have unusual power and beauty. She integrates global musical traditions with fluency and reverence. Born in Ireland and raised the child of an Irish diplomat, Diana has traveled, lived and performed on six continents. As a natural outgrowth of this inspiration, her music interweaves global music, art, spirituality and mythology.
Don't miss this exciting conclusion of our season celebrating women and their many extraordinary musical accomplishments!
Don't miss this exciting conclusion of our season celebrating women and their many extraordinary musical accomplishments!
Concerts already performed in our 2016-17 Season ...
Devoted Daughters & Weird Sisters
with guest artists, MUSA instrumental ensemble
September 17 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets
Seventh Avenue Performances @ Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
September 18 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets
St. Bede's Episcopal Church
2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park
September 24 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets
The Auditorium @ St. Mark's Square
1031 Franklin Street (Urban Life Center), San Francisco
September 25 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Giacomo Carissimi's baroque oratorio, Jephte, might more appropriately be titled Jephte's Daughter. Carissimi's ravishing score beautifully illuminates the story of the obedient daughter who makes the ultimate sacrifice for her father. San Francisco Renaissance Voices Music Director Katherine McKee, sopranos Rita Lilly and Lisa May, mezzo soprano Naomi Braun, contralto Elisabeth Eliassen, tenor Corey Head, bass Joey Valkevich, and the San Francisco Renaissance Dancers (led by Jennifer Meller) will be joined by the talented young performers of MUSA Baroque Instrumental Ensemble under the direction of Derek Tam for this performance. The second half of the program features music inspired by heroines from Shakespeare’s plays, including solo and one-on-a-part ensemble pieces from Hamlet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, & The Tempest, as well as Richard Leveridge’s rarely performed music for Macbeth.
with guest artists, MUSA instrumental ensemble
September 17 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets
Seventh Avenue Performances @ Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
September 18 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets
St. Bede's Episcopal Church
2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park
September 24 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets
The Auditorium @ St. Mark's Square
1031 Franklin Street (Urban Life Center), San Francisco
September 25 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Giacomo Carissimi's baroque oratorio, Jephte, might more appropriately be titled Jephte's Daughter. Carissimi's ravishing score beautifully illuminates the story of the obedient daughter who makes the ultimate sacrifice for her father. San Francisco Renaissance Voices Music Director Katherine McKee, sopranos Rita Lilly and Lisa May, mezzo soprano Naomi Braun, contralto Elisabeth Eliassen, tenor Corey Head, bass Joey Valkevich, and the San Francisco Renaissance Dancers (led by Jennifer Meller) will be joined by the talented young performers of MUSA Baroque Instrumental Ensemble under the direction of Derek Tam for this performance. The second half of the program features music inspired by heroines from Shakespeare’s plays, including solo and one-on-a-part ensemble pieces from Hamlet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, & The Tempest, as well as Richard Leveridge’s rarely performed music for Macbeth.
SPECIAL CONCERT - The Feast of All Saints
November 1 - 12:30-1:15 pm
Noontime Concerts @ Old St. Mary's Catholic Church
660 California Street, San Francisco
We are delighted to make our debut on this iconic free concert series; one of two concerts that we will perform on Noontime Concerts this season. This concert will feature chant, motets, anthems, and other music for The Feast of All Saints by William Byrd, Sor Juana de la Cruz, Carlota Ferrari, Hildegard von Bingen, Mark Schweizer, and Thomas Tallis. No tickets or reservations are required (donations accepted; $5 suggested) - come and enjoy your lunch hour with some great music!
November 1 - 12:30-1:15 pm
Noontime Concerts @ Old St. Mary's Catholic Church
660 California Street, San Francisco
We are delighted to make our debut on this iconic free concert series; one of two concerts that we will perform on Noontime Concerts this season. This concert will feature chant, motets, anthems, and other music for The Feast of All Saints by William Byrd, Sor Juana de la Cruz, Carlota Ferrari, Hildegard von Bingen, Mark Schweizer, and Thomas Tallis. No tickets or reservations are required (donations accepted; $5 suggested) - come and enjoy your lunch hour with some great music!
TAIZE SERVICE - The Feast of All Souls
November 2 - 7:30 pm
Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
We join Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church, our host as Artists-in-Residence for a service of prayer and music in the meditative Taize style. Our Music Director Katherine McKee will conduct us in several pieces from our November 1 Noontime Concerts performance as part of the service. This event is free and no reservations are required.
November 2 - 7:30 pm
Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
We join Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church, our host as Artists-in-Residence for a service of prayer and music in the meditative Taize style. Our Music Director Katherine McKee will conduct us in several pieces from our November 1 Noontime Concerts performance as part of the service. This event is free and no reservations are required.
A Festival of Lessons & Carols
- Annual Free Family Concert
December 10 - 7:30 pm (Cookie decorating begins at 6:45 pm)
Seventh Avenue Performances @ Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
Our annual holiday gift to our audiences, this traditional Lessons & Carols is modeled after the event first performed at King's College Cambridge (England) in 1918 and performed every year there, and around the world, since. We again honor a tradition of the festival and will debut a commissioned carol by Bay Area composer Angela Kraft Cross, using text by Bay Area poet Elisabeth Eliassen. This year we invite children of all ages to join us beforehand to create Christmas cookies that will be served at the reception after the concert and, as always, there will be lots of opportunities for you to sing Christmas carols along with us as part of the evening. This is a free event, our Christmas gift to you - no tickets or reservations are required - just come and enjoy the evening!
- Annual Free Family Concert
December 10 - 7:30 pm (Cookie decorating begins at 6:45 pm)
Seventh Avenue Performances @ Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
Our annual holiday gift to our audiences, this traditional Lessons & Carols is modeled after the event first performed at King's College Cambridge (England) in 1918 and performed every year there, and around the world, since. We again honor a tradition of the festival and will debut a commissioned carol by Bay Area composer Angela Kraft Cross, using text by Bay Area poet Elisabeth Eliassen. This year we invite children of all ages to join us beforehand to create Christmas cookies that will be served at the reception after the concert and, as always, there will be lots of opportunities for you to sing Christmas carols along with us as part of the evening. This is a free event, our Christmas gift to you - no tickets or reservations are required - just come and enjoy the evening!
SPECIAL CONCERT - A Festival of Lessons & Carols
December 20 - 12:30-1:15 pm
Noontime Concerts @ Old St. Mary's Catholic Church
660 California Street, San Francisco
Should you not be able to make our December 10 evening Lessons & Carols, join us for a slightly shorter lunch-time performance in celebration of the season! No cookies at this performance but still plenty of chances for you to sing along. No tickets or reservations are required (donations accepted; $5 suggested) - everyone is welcome!
December 20 - 12:30-1:15 pm
Noontime Concerts @ Old St. Mary's Catholic Church
660 California Street, San Francisco
Should you not be able to make our December 10 evening Lessons & Carols, join us for a slightly shorter lunch-time performance in celebration of the season! No cookies at this performance but still plenty of chances for you to sing along. No tickets or reservations are required (donations accepted; $5 suggested) - everyone is welcome!
Seventh Annual Boar's Head Festival
January 6 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets!
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
January 7 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets!
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
1111 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco
January 8 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets!
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
3 Bayview Avenue, Belvedere
Join us for this 650 year old tradition celebrating Twelfth Night ... Our seventh annual Boar’s Head Festival, delights audiences young and old alike, and is our most popular event of each and every season!
January 6 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets!
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
January 7 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets!
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
1111 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco
January 8 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE for tickets!
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
3 Bayview Avenue, Belvedere
Join us for this 650 year old tradition celebrating Twelfth Night ... Our seventh annual Boar’s Head Festival, delights audiences young and old alike, and is our most popular event of each and every season!
This evening of feasting, libations, music and dramatic surprises takes place at the court of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth I with audience-favorites Phantom of the Opera's soprano Susan Gundunas joining us once again as our Queen and our dance troupe San Francisco Renaissance Dancers along with The Berkeley Morris Dancers taking the stage as well. In addition to the music of Medieval through Contemporary England, this year Robin Hood and his band of Merrie Men visit Her Majesty for an evening of hijinks, bawdy songs, and an entertaining surprise or two!
Any attire you choose for her majesty's court is fine ... however those of you who choose to come in period costume or masque will be especially welcomed!
***Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. CLICK HERE to send us an email requesting a quote.***
Any attire you choose for her majesty's court is fine ... however those of you who choose to come in period costume or masque will be especially welcomed!
***Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. CLICK HERE to send us an email requesting a quote.***
SPECIAL CONCERT - The Feast of Saint Valentine
February 14 - 12:30-1:15 pm
Noontime Concerts @ Old St. Mary's Catholic Church
660 California Street, San Francisco
The third of our concerts on Noontime Concerts this season is a musical valentine to San Francisco! This concert will be a preview of our March "Lady, My Lady" concerts and will feature excerpts of the program listed below. No tickets or reservations are required (donations accepted; $5 suggested) - be our valentine and come and enjoy your lunch hour with some great music!
February 14 - 12:30-1:15 pm
Noontime Concerts @ Old St. Mary's Catholic Church
660 California Street, San Francisco
The third of our concerts on Noontime Concerts this season is a musical valentine to San Francisco! This concert will be a preview of our March "Lady, My Lady" concerts and will feature excerpts of the program listed below. No tickets or reservations are required (donations accepted; $5 suggested) - be our valentine and come and enjoy your lunch hour with some great music!
Lady, My Lady - Music & Poetry of the Renaissance
February 18 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
1111 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco
February 19 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
February 25 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets
Seventh Avenue Performances @ Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
February 26 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
3 Bayview Avenue, Belvedere
You will delight in the music and poetry of the 15th and early 16th centuries including treasures from the rarely-performed lady mass by Johannes Ockeghem, Missa Ma Maitresse and other musical gems dedicated to The Lady and ladies of the Renaissance including:
Fayrfax’s Eterne Laudis Lilium (from the Lambeth Choirbook), Victoria’s Versa est in luctum (in memory of Raymond Martinez), Palestrina’s motet Susanna ab Improbis Senibus, Handl’s Tota Pulchra est, amica mea, Songs and arias by Lady Mary Dering and Giovanni Pietro Biandra, trouvère songs by Blanche de Castille and Maroie de Diergnau, madrigals by Casulana, Hassler, Josquin, Luzzaschi, Rossi and Steffens and poetry from the Findern manuscript, and by Christine de Pizan, Hadewijch of Antwerp, Teresa of Avila, Mechtild of Magdeburg, and Devora Ascarelli.
February 18 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
1111 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco
February 19 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
February 25 - 7:30 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets
Seventh Avenue Performances @ Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church
1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco
February 26 - 4:00 pm - CLICK HERE to buy tickets
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
3 Bayview Avenue, Belvedere
You will delight in the music and poetry of the 15th and early 16th centuries including treasures from the rarely-performed lady mass by Johannes Ockeghem, Missa Ma Maitresse and other musical gems dedicated to The Lady and ladies of the Renaissance including:
Fayrfax’s Eterne Laudis Lilium (from the Lambeth Choirbook), Victoria’s Versa est in luctum (in memory of Raymond Martinez), Palestrina’s motet Susanna ab Improbis Senibus, Handl’s Tota Pulchra est, amica mea, Songs and arias by Lady Mary Dering and Giovanni Pietro Biandra, trouvère songs by Blanche de Castille and Maroie de Diergnau, madrigals by Casulana, Hassler, Josquin, Luzzaschi, Rossi and Steffens and poetry from the Findern manuscript, and by Christine de Pizan, Hadewijch of Antwerp, Teresa of Avila, Mechtild of Magdeburg, and Devora Ascarelli.
