In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, Early Music Vancouver (EMV) is celebrating with its first live concert of the year, on Friday March 4th at Christ Church Cathedral. Women of Note showcases the music of 18th-century female composers who, though forgotten or ignored by history, in their day shared the stage with and enjoyed the respect and friendship of composers we now regard as musical giants, including Haydn and Mozart.
Like their male colleagues, these women were highly acclaimed both as composers and as performing musicians. They include the noted British composer, pianist and sought-after teacher Maria Hester Park; the star singer and playwright Amélie-Julie Candeille; the stateswoman, keyboard player, and opera composer Duchess Maria Antonia, Electress of Saxony; the master violinist Maddalena Laura Sirmen, who was trained at one of Venice’s famous musical orphanages; and the virtuoso singer and pianist Marianne Anna Katharina von Martinez, a member of the prestigious Accademia Filarmonica in Bologna who was a frequent duet partner of Mozart’s and an influence on his compositional style. Their music brims with the elegance and eloquence of the Classical era.
EMV presents Women of Note with The Pacific Baroque Orchestra, lead by Music Director Alexander Weimann, featuring Tekla Cunningham on Solo Violin, and Chloe Meyers as Concert Master. The joy of live music returns March 4th at Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver, with an online version of Women of Note being made available March 23rd. Tickets start at $32.50 available online at earlymusic.bc.ca, with reserved seating in chairs and general admission in pews.
Note: Proof of vaccination and masks are required, and other covid-19 protocol required are available online.