Season 5: 2024-2025

Traveling Musicians in the Middle Ages

How did Medieval artists get exposed to new music, pick up new skills or instruments, and develop their artistry? Guests Allison Monroe (Trobár) and Liza Malamut (Newberry Consort) share performances from a program that explored 14th and 15th century Medieval “Minstrel Schools,” where musicians from across Europe gathered to exchange ideas, repertoire, and more.

In Harmonie (podcast exclusive)

Legendary period clarinetist Eric Hoeprich shares insights on Mozart and looks back on his own career highlights in this audio-only episode featuring live performances from Les Délices’ October program for wind octet, Moonlit Mozart.

East Meets West

Drawing inspiration from a range of non-Western musical traditions as well as historical events, SalonEra shines a light on artists doing fascinating work that centers cultural exchange. Setar virtuoso Kiya Tabassian (Constantinople), Indian-American soprano Vidita Kanniks, and Thai-American violinist Sallynee Amawat (Infusion Baroque) join us to share recent work that thoughtfully bridges traditions.

14th Century Avant-garde (podcast exclusive)

LD Artistic Director Debra Nagy and host Hannah De Priest explore the strange and beautiful music of the ars subtilior in this audio-only episode featuring live performances from Les Délices’ November 2024 program 14th Century Avant-garde. Featuring music by Machaut, Senleches, and others with performances by Debra Nagy, (winds, voice, harps), Scott Metcalfe (vielle and Gothic harp) Sophie Michaux (mezzo-soprano) and James Reese (tenor).

Enterprising Women

SalonEra partners with the Boulanger Initiative to spotlight enterprising women composers from mid-eighteenth-century England, Elizabeth Turner and Elisabetta de Gambarini. Featuring brand new recordings from Les Délices and harpsichordist Paula Maust plus insights from Dr. Alison DeSimone (author of Women and the Business of Performance in Eighteenth-Century Britain).

Arcadian Dreams (podcast exclusive)

Soprano Hannah De Priest and harpsichordist Mark Edwards talk with Artistic Director Debra Nagy in this audio-only episode featuring live performances from Les Délices’ October 2024 performances of Arcadian Dreams, in which faithful shepherds fall prey to love’s fateful snares. Featuring music by Handel, Scarlatti, and Bourgeois.

Myth Then & Now

Myth Then & Now spotlights artists whose recent projects reflect mythology’s contemporary resonance. Guests Sophie Michaux & Adam Simon (Tiny Glass Tavern) share a recent performance centering St. Cecilia while Les Délices previews their recent world-premiere of “A Moment’s Oblivion” by composer Viet Cuong. Additional guests to be announced.

I hear the Mermaid singing (podcast exclusive)

What is it about beautiful women with tails and fins? Are they seductive, dangerous, or both? SalonEra explores The Mermaid and other tantalizing beasts through ballad tunes and songs in this audio-only episode featuring live performances from Les Délices’ April 2024 concerts with special guest Seán Dagher.