2022
Suite Delights
~ 13 February 2022
The evolution of the instrumental suite from Medieval to the Baroque
The instrumental suite or sonata de camera – the practice of linking related pieces of music to form a larger work – began with dances in Medieval times. This practice was taken up by instrumentalists in the Renaissance and evolved into an important musical style in the Baroque.
In this concert, the Early Music Consort of Melbourne and the Rippon-Lea Baroque dancers will delight you with an exploration of the suite through the works of Attaingnant, Tomkins, Schein, Locke and others.
Steps Back in Time
~ 29 May & 5 June 2022
This concert was dedicated to Mark Hill, who passed on 20 March 2022. He established the Early Arts Guild with Helga and their children in the early 70s. Mark ceased playing with the Consort in the 80s but continued on as manager until his retirement in 2017.
A Celebration of Yuletide
~ 20 November & 4 December 2022
2019
The European Courtier
~ 11 May & 19 May 2019
“A gentleman must deliver the appearance of a nobleman; for the mysterious source of courtly gracefulness is learned through imitation – not acquired by birth.”
Baldassare Castiglione from ‘The Book of the Courtier’, 1528.
A Room in Europe
~ 18 August 2019
Chamber music, dance and song from the Baroque era. Performed by the Early Music Consort of Melbourne, Baroque dancer Yoko Murakoshi and soprano Sarah Louise Amos.
A Yuletide Pageant
~ 24 November & 1 December 2019
We mark the festive season with a courtly celebration of dance and music spanning four centuries, performed in scrumptious Renaissance and Baroque costumes.
2018
Dancing with the Bard
~ 27 May & 3 June 2018
“Welcome, gentlemen ladies that have their toes unplagued with corns will walk a bout with you. Ah ha, my mistresses! Which of you all will now deny to dance? Come, musicians, play. A hall, a hall! Give room! And foot it, girls.”
– from ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by Shakespeare
Christmastide Pageant
~ 25 November & 3 December 2018
“Let’s dance and sing, and make good chear, for Christmas comes but once a year; Draw hogheads dry, let flagons fly, for now the bells shall ring.” Performed with singer Natalie Maroki and narrator David Ranson.
