The Jefferson Baroque Orchestra to feature works by women composers
By Geoff Ridden for Ashland.news
The Rogue Valley has a well-deserved reputation for its commitment to the world of the arts. It plays host to a range of theatre companies, large and small, producing work of high quality. It also boasts fine choral ensembles and an excellent symphony orchestra which, under the direction of Martin Majkut, performs contemporary works as well as familiar pieces from the classical repertoire: Martin’s pre-show talks are, in themselves, worth the price of admission, especially when he shares the stage with composer-in-residence, David Ludwig.
The deets
“Donna Barocche: Women of the Baroque” will be performed at 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 15, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Medford; at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at Newman Methodist Church, Grants Pass; and at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at First Congregational Church, Ashland.
For tickets ($5-25), go to jeffersonbaroque.org.
There is another, perhaps less well-known, orchestra in the Valley which will be offering a series of concerts in March. The Jefferson Baroque Orchestra was formed in 1984 by the late Jim Rich. Over the last 40 years, JBO has performed many of the major works of such well-known Baroque composers as Bach, Handel, Telemann, Vivaldi, Scarlatti, Purcell and Lully. It has also explored the lesser-known masters of the eighteenth century: Graupner, Heinichen, Zaschow, Pergolesi, and many others.
Its mission is to offer historically-informed performances of music of the period, using authentic tuning and instrumental techniques.
In March, JBO will present “Donne Barocche: Women of the Baroque,” a series of concerts in Medford, Grants Pass and Ashland which will feature the music of women composers, played by an all-female ensemble.
Nancie Linn Shaw, Melissa Orr, Barb Barasa, Manon Robertshaw, Abigail Mace and Luna Bitzer will play works by Leonora Duarte, Isabella Leonarda, Wilhelmine von Bayreuth, Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de La Guerre and Anna Bon.
It is noteworthy that while most composers are known by their last names, female composers (especially from this period) seem to need to have their first names listed. Historical factors discouraged females from seeking any profession, let alone a musical one, but, at least in the upper classes, they were strongly encouraged to do music as an amateur as a sign of breeding and a well-rounded development. These concerts provide a rare opportunity to hear work seldom performed and may perhaps stimulate audiences into delving deeper into the compositions of women composers.
Geoff Ridden first came to Ashland in 2002 and has been a permanent resident since 2008. He can be contacted at geoff.ridden@gmail.com
