Newberry Consort NFP

A mexican christmas: a concert that contrasts the singing of cloistered nuns of music taken from the Newberry library's mexican choirbooks with a street band performing villancicos recreating sounds that could only have been heard by the walls of the convento de nuestra senora de la encarnacion in mexico city in the 17th century. Performed on december 9th, 10th, and 11th in chicago, and evanston, il

Singen und sagen: music for hope in a time of war: michael praetorius's polyhymnia caduceatrix et panegyrica contains some of the most elaborate vocal and instrumental writing in all of early german music, representing a level of sophistication on par with monteverdi's vespers. Published at the beginning of the devastating thirty years' war, many years would pass before polyhymnia could be performed as it was meant to be heard. Over four centuries later, the Newberry Consort and bella voce join forces to present a spectacular concert of works from polyhymnia for voices, strings, trombones, cornetts, dulcians, continuo, and trumpets. The music is juxtaposed with readings of texts by everyday people who lived during and after the thirty years' war, bringing to life praetorius's interpretation of martin luther's instruction to "singen und sagen, or "to sing and say" a joyous universal musical sermon during a time of war and strife. Even now, performing this elaborate and uplifting music during times of darkness and despair remains an act of courage and optimism.performed may 13th and 14th in evanston, and chicago, il

Madama europa: a concert presenting music by mantuan court musicians, especially works that would have featured madama europa, her family's concerto, and other famous women musicians who would have known them, incuding lucia and isabetta pelizzari, players of the cornetto and trombone. Performed on october 28th, 29th, and 30th in chicago and evanston, il

Touring concerts, residency program, and related fees

Oracles, prophets, and dreams: the Newberry Consort introduces the mysterious world of sybils, prophets, and oracles, centering on the haunting sibylline prophecies of orlande de lassus. Voices join with lute, recorders, reeds, and sackbut to perform works of the high renaissance that warn, whisper, and herald the future. Get swept up in jacob's night visions, jonah in the belly of the whale, and other visions and dreams set to evocative music by ludwig senfl, philipe rogier, and cipriano de rore. Performed on march 17th, 18th, and 19th in evanston and chicago, il