From the Bible in Ancient History to the Salons of the Classical Era
12:00pm | Virtual Concert REBECCA CYPESS : Salonniéres at the Keyboard
Director of The Raritan Players Rebecca Cypess takes a brilliant solo turn with works performed in musical salons throughout 18th-century Western Europe, all of which were hosted by women—giving them remarkable artistic and social agency in their time. (New Brunswick, NJ)
Pre-concert discussion at the start of the program with Rebecca Cypess and BLEM manager and historical keyboard expert Travis Whaley.
2:00pm | Workshop MAKING MUSIC BOOKS (The Lilly Library)
See book-making technologies from hundreds of years ago, make your own paper, explore historical music books, and learn to chant, all in one day! Workshop runs 2:00PM-4:00PM. Presented in partnership with The Lilly Library and IU Corps.
5:00pm | Virtual Concert WESTEINDE WINDS : The Quest for the Female Musician of the Past
In a glorious display of classical-era music for wind instruments—considered at the time quite “unseemly” for a woman’s posture, and the strict domain of men because of its roots in the military—this effervescent ensemble applauds daring women of the early 19th century who defied gender restrictions to become successful professional musicians. (The Hague, Netherlands)
Pre-concert discussion at the start of the program with Boise State musicologist Rachel Becker, specialist in 19th century woodwind virtuosi and questions of gender.
8:00pm | Concert MIRYAM : Livshi Oz, Tales of Biblical Heroines (Monroe County Courthouse Rotunda)
Livshi Oz (Clothe Yourself in Strength), Tales of Biblical Heroines paints compelling portraits of Judith and Esther, two central women in ancient Jewish history who through strength and perseverance prevailed against staggering odds, in cantatas by the pioneering late 17th-century French composer Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre. (Boston, MA)
7:15pm | Pre-concert discussion with MIRYAM Director Alicia DePaolo and BLEM board member and early modern music scholar Devon Nelson.
Complete program information for BLEMF 2022: Celebrating Women in Early Music is here.