Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the early music ensemble Chiaroscuro presents a new concert programme Air de cour - in the rhythm of dance. Music from the time of the 17th-century French monarchs Louis XIII and Louis XIV was performed for the first time at Trakai Voke Manor on 5 April, and was also performed at the Panemune Castle Festival and Renown Manor.
"With this programme we aim to reveal the gallantry and sophistication of French music through elegant Baroque dances and songs, through the French genre of air de cour, inviting the audience on a poetic journey through the Baroque era". During the event, the audience will not only have the opportunity to listen to amazing historical musical instruments, hear some of the best Early Music performers in Lithuania, but also an exclusive opportunity to see the most beautiful harpsichord in the Baltic States.
The Early Music Ensemble Chiaroscuro (Italian for "kjaroscuro", light-temperature instrument) was established in 2014. The conveyance of strong feelings, emotions and contrasting moods through light and darkness is widespread throughout the art of the Baroque era, from Caravaggio's paintings to the recitar cantare style of singing in the music of Giulio Caccini, Claudio Monteverdi and other composers. The ensemble has performed numerous times at the international festivals Banchetto musicale and Marco Scacchi, Latvia's Vivat Curlandia and the Riga Early Music and Dance Festival, and has toured Lithuania and abroad. They have created numerous concert programmes, including Augeletti, rusceletti, Heavenly Sonatas, Miracles, Vilanelos, Canticum canticorum.
All three founding members of the ensemble - Ieva Baublytė (long flutes), Rūta Vosyliūtė (soprano), Vilimas Norkūnas (harpsichord, organ) - have completed their specialised studies of Early Music in different countries (Switzerland, Italy and Austria). The performers were brought together by a common desire to develop in Lithuania the knowledge and experience of Early Music acquired in Western Europe and to share the beauty of this music. The ensemble's projects include well-known performers such as Saulius S. Lipčius (lute forte and baroque guitar), Ieva Baltmiškytė (theorbo, lute, baroque guitar), and in this project Justyna Rekść-Raubo (viola da gamba). Jūratė Širvytė-Rukštelė will add historical dances to the concert performance.
"The feeling of light and calmness that remains after the concert is a credit to the performers, who have created a pastoral atmosphere with their musicianship and artistry. We should also thank them for their enthusiasm to perform such rarely heard compositions and to preserve and deepen the tradition of historical performance." (Paulina Nalivaikaitė)[1]
Chiaroscuro Ensemble website: https://www.chiaroscuro.en/
The concert tour of Lithuanian regions is financed by the Lithuanian Council for Culture
Ancient Music Ensemble "Chiaroscuro"
Rūta Vox (Vosyliūtė) - soprano
Ieva Baublytė - longitudinal flute
Justyna Rekść-Raubo - viola da gamba
Vilimas Norkūnas - harpsichord
Jūratė Širvytė-Rukštelė - historical dance
