GAYLORD, MN, JANUARY 29, 2023 — On Thursday, February 9, Gaylord-based music group La Grande Bande will present its concert at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Gaylord.
The program, entitled “Splendors of Baroque Italy,” includes vocal music composed by Italian composer Giulio Caccini and his two daughters Francesca and Settimia. Performing on the concert will be Alyssa Anderson, mezzo-soprano, Maryne Mossey, viola da gamba & baroque cello, and Michael Thomas Asmus, harpsichord.
The concert is inspired by Giulio Caccini’s revolutionary 1602 publication Le nuove musiche (“The New Music”), and by the important contributions to music history made by the Caccini family. More information about the family’s history will be shared during the pre-concert talk (see below).
“A lot of the music on this particular program is incredibly difficult for the singer,” noted Michael Thomas Asmus, music & artistic director of La Grande Bande. “The difficulty is not so much in the notes that are being sung but the technique and complete and utter confidence and control that’s needed. On top of all of that, there’s the excruciatingly tragic poetry, the resoundingly tuneful melodies, and exquisite bravura—everything you should expect from early Italian Baroque music”
There are also several solo instrumental pieces for baroque cello by Domenico Gabrielli and a solo harpsichord selection by Giovanni Salvatore.
La Grande Bande’s performance will take place on Thursday, February 9 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Gaylord (312 Fifth Street). The concert performance begins at 7:30 with a pre-concert talk beginning around 6:45. A small reception with light refreshments will immediately follow the performance.
For those who would like to hear a preview, a free open rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, February 8 beginning at 4:30pm.
Tickets ($5-15) are available online or at the door. Advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged. For more information visit www.lagrandebande.org/tickets or call 507-237-6539.