Join the Global Voices Program and The Chicago Ensemble for the Ensemble’s 41st Season of eclectic classical chamber music performances, with the first half featuring Baroque music by Alessandro Scarlatti, Handel, Fasch and Vivaldi, while the second half features 20th century music by Martinů, Piazzola and Dominick Argento. Enjoy an intimate setting, complimentary reception, and informal spoken program notes that provide the perfect chamber music experience. 

Michelle Areyzaga, soprano, is heard in the cantata “Son contento di soffrire” by Alessandro Scarlatti and will be backed by cellist Andrew Snow and The Chicago Ensemble’s artistic director, Gerald Rizzer, playing harpsichord. Ms. Areyzaga is also performing one of the nine German Arias which Handel wrote, while Ricardo Castañeda, oboe, provides the obbligato instrumental part interweaving with the soprano’s vocal line. Messrs. Snow and Rizzer again provide the continuo accompaniment. In Johann Freidrich Fasch’s Quadro in Bb Major three equally prominent  lines are heard in counterpoint, to be performed by Susan Levitin, flute, Ricardo Castañeda, oboe, and Eleanor Bartsch, violin; Snow and Rizzer again provide continuo backup. The same instrumentation is found in Vivaldi’s Chamber Concerto in G Minor, RV 107. 

The second half of The Chicago Ensemble’s April program features Dominick Argento’s Six Elizabethan Songs from 1962, performed by Ms. Areyzaga and all of the instrumentalists heard in the Baroque half of the program. Instrumental music being heard in the second half of the program begins Czech composer Martinů’s neo-classical piece entitled “Promenades” (composed 1937, revised 1944), scored for flute, violin and harpsichord. It will be performed by Ensemble members Ms. Levitin and Ms. Bartsch along with Rizzer. The second piece is by Astor Piazzola, who was born in Argentina and attained considerable acclaim for his compositions utilizing tango rhythms. “Café” from his Histoire du Tango suite, will be played by Messrs. Castañeda and Snow. 

2:30PM reception with the musicians.

$30 General Admission; $10 Students; free for students with a valid UCID. Tickets can be reserved by calling (773) 558-3448 or sending an email to theceweb@thechicagoensembl.org

Presented by the International House Global Voices Performing Arts Series and The Chicago Ensemble.