Virtuoso guest artists and acclaimed ensembles performing music of the Renaissance and Baroque eras will take the stage at MSU Fairchild Theatre beginning in early October as the MSU College of Music kicks off the 2022-2023 Taylor Johnston Early Music Series. Now in its seventh year, the annual series presents three separate performances of historically informed music that are unique to mid-Michigan venues.

The Baltimore Consort is the first guest ensemble to step on stage on Tuesday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Fairchild Theatre. The program “In Angel’s Wede: Music of Mary, Queen of Scots” features French, Scottish, Italian, and English music showcasing different periods from the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. The Scottish Queen was revered as a Catholic martyr but considered a heretic and traitor by the English in the turbulent 16th century. Narrated by Robert Aubry Davis, the program paints an atmosphere of Scottish lore based on Mary’s compelling story—one that has inspired operas, movies and hit television shows. Click here for tickets to this event.

The Baltimore Consort was founded in 1980 to perform music of Shakespeare’s time, but has expanded their repertoire to include Scottish music, broadside ballads, and other European music of the 16th and 17th centuries. The group has earned recognition as the Top Classical-Crossover Artist of the Year (Billboard) and is frequently heard on syndicated radio broadcasts worldwide. The acclaimed ensemble includes artists Mary Anne Ballard, viol; Mark Cudek, cittern, bass viol; Larry Lipkis, viol, recorders; Ronn McFarlane, lute; Mindy Rosenfeld, winds; Danielle Svonavec, soprano.

Other upcoming performances at Fairchild Theatre in the Taylor Johnston Early Music Series are:

• Jean Rondeau, Harpsichord: J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations
  Tuesday, November 1st, 7:30 p.m.
• Artifex Consort: Feste Champetre; Courtly Delicacies for Viols, Rustic and Refined
  Tuesday, February 28th, 7:30 p.m.

“It is thrilling to presents these outstanding, world-renowned ensembles and soloists in concert on the Fairchild Theatre stage,” said director of the series David Rayl, senior associate dean in the MSU College of Music. “We are so fortunate to be able to feature these historically informed, inspiring performances of early music. The performances this year are incredibly varied, and each performance promises to be a treat for our students and our community.”

The entire series is generously sponsored by the Taylor Johnston Early Music Series Endowment established by Taylor Johnston. Dr. Johnston had been an MSU professor for 51 years and passed away in 2019. His long-time passion for music, particularly early music, led him to establish the annual series.

Reserved seating tickets for this and other performances in the series are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (age 60 and older), and $7 for students with ID and anyone under 18, and can be purchased online (music.msu.edu), by calling (517) 353-5340, or at the door. More information about the Taylor Johnston Early Music Series other events can be found at music.msu.edu/events

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Press materials

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Contact Michael Sundermann, 517-353-2043, sunderm7@msu.edu 

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Kicking off the seventh annual Taylor Johnston Early Music Series, The Baltimore Consort takes the stage October 11th.

The acclaimed Baltimore Consort, founded in 1980, will perform “In Angel’s Wede: Music of Mary, Queen of Scots” in Fairchild Theatre.