The Baltimore Basilica of the Assumption, in partnership with the French Embassy and An Die Musik, on Sunday will host a program of Baroque music.
In the first of the basilica’s fall season of special musical events that benefit its Historic Trust, French baroque violinist Patrick Bismuth and La Tempesta (the chamber ensemble he founded) will perform a full repertoire of period sonatas that include the works of Jean-Marie Leclair, Arcangelo Corelli and Jean-Baptiste Barrier.
As a teacher of baroque violin at the music conservatories of Paris and Versailles, Bismuth has played with major ensembles all over the world. His group, La Tempesta showcases the extraordinary talents of Caroline Delume playing the theobro (a plucked string instrument, or more specifically, a baroque lute having an extra set of open bass strings), Hager Hanana on cello and Helene Dufour at the harpsichord. The four musicians are committed to bringing the public music rarely heard — that of the 17th and 18th centuries.
And the basilica, with all its beauty and dynamic acoustics, could not be a more apt place for the ensemble to perform.
“This is a great opportunity for audiences to hear and see Baroque music as it was written for performance in the churches at that time,” said Henry Wong, manager of An Die Musik and co-host of the event.
Undoubtedly, it’s also an opportunity for audiences who have never visited the basilica (the nation’s first seat of Catholicism) to appreciate a recent restoration to Benjamin Latrobe’s architectural masterpiece.
“There is nothing like sitting under the great dome of the basilica and hearing a beautifully presented piece of music [in] magnificent surroundings,” said Mark Potter, executive director of the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust Inc.
If you go
Patrick Bismuth and La Tempesta
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Basilica of the Assumption, 408 N. Charles St., Baltimore
TICKETS: $20 general/ $15 seniors/ $10 students
Wine and pastry reception at An die Musik follows concert.
MORE INFO: 888-221-6170, 410-385-2638 or www.andiemusiklive.com
