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FRENCH AND ENGLISH: Soprano Julianne Baird is among the performers at a concert by The Dryden Ensemble reflecting two of the ensemble’s passions, in two languages.
The Dryden Ensemble presents “Swan Songs” on Sunday, April 16 at 3 p.m. at Seminary Chapel, located on the campus of the Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street.
This concert celebrates nearly 29 years of creative programming by the ensemble’s artistic director, Jane McKinley. Designed as a theatrical entertainment, the program is divided into two acts: French and English, reflecting two of the ensemble’s passions. Actors Roberta Maxwell and Paul Hecht will offer dramatic readings from 17th-century letters and diaries by Élisabeth Charlotte (sister-in-law to Louis XIV), courtier Saint-Simon, Moliére, Samuel Pepys, John Evelyn, Mary Burwell, and others.
Soprano Julianne Baird will sing airs by Lully and Purcell, and a Baroque band of oboes, bassoon, strings, lute, and harpsichord will play music from John Dryden’s lifetime. Featured composers are Lully, Louis and François Couperin, Purcell, and others. Grand movements from Lully’s opera Armide and Purcell’s Fairy Queen will open and close each half.
The Dryden Ensemble plans to continue performing small chamber music concerts, which they hope to present free to the public if they can raise sufficient funding. McKinley was recently awarded a 2023 Poetry Fellowship by the State of New Jersey and intends to devote more time to writing.
The Dryden Ensemble, which specializes in performing music of the 17th and 18th centuries on period instruments, includes McKinley and Julie Brye, oboes; Benjamin Matus, bassoon; Edmond Chan and Nancy Wilson, violins; Amy Leonard, viola; Lisa Terry, cello; Daniel Swenberg, lute and theorbo: and Webb Wiggins, harpsichord.
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $40 for patrons, and free for students with an ID. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at drydensemble.org.
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