2013–2014
Press Release
Season Brochure
Menus Plaisirs
Venetian Carnival
La Sposa dei Cantici
Susanna
A Baroque Wedding Feast
2012–2013
It Takes Two Bach’s 4th “Brandenburg” Concerto, Haydn’s Concerto in F Major for violin and harpsichord, and other works for two or more soloists. With Marc Destrubé, Paul Leenhouts, Kathryn Montoya, and Matthew Dirst.
Magnificat Bach’s Magnificat plus ceremonial works by Gabrieli and Handel, in collaboration with the Orpheus Chamber Singers.
A Vienneses New Year Concert and Gala Festive music by the legendary composers of the Viennese royal court: Mozart, Gluck, Schmeltzer, Fux, and Johann Strauss. With Lauren Snouffer and John Holiday.
Acis and Galatea Handel’s pastoral masterpiece directed by Tara Faircloth. With Blair Doerge, Ryland Angel, Derek Chester, Michael Kelly, and Timothy Jones.
Divine Recreation Musical settings of texts from the Song of Solomon by Monteverdi, Buxtehude, and Part I of Handel’s oratorio Solomon. With Melissa Givens, Ellie Jarrett Shattles, and Tony Boutté.
2011–2012
Paradise Found A journey from worldly torment to heavenly ecstasy with music of Scarlatti, Couperin, Rameau, and Handel
Musical Alchemy J.S. Bach’s “Brandenburg” Concerto No. 5 with prize-winning soloists, and music of Frederick the Great’s personal composer, J.G. Janitsch
Bach and Time A seasonal all-Bach program on the subject of time in its multiple dimensions
La Resurrezione A telling of the Resurrection story by G.F. Handel, with vocal fireworks, beautiful melodies, and a stellar cast
Heaven and HellIn collaboration with the New York Baroque Dance Company, some of Monteverdi’s most imaginative scores are brought to Houston in a staged program
2010–2011
La Dirindina A Domenico Scarlatti intermezzo and string concerti arranged from his keyboard sonatas
1610 Vespers On the 400th anniversary of Monteverdi’s grandest sacred work, in collaboration with the Orpheus Chamber Singers
Musical Resolutions Handel's Apollo e Dafne plus instrumental works by Bach and Telemann
St John Passion Bach’s sacred drama, with the Moores School Concert Chorale
Forbidden Pleasures Music for the castrati from Alessandro and Domenico Scarlatti
2009–2010
A Musical Offering Works by Bach and Telemann evoking far-flung locales
Hail! Bright Cecilia Purcell’s ode to the patron saint of music, in collaboration with the Houston Chamber Choir
A Neapolitan New Year The American première of J. A. Hasse’s serenata Marc Antonio e Cleopatra
Springtime in Paris French Baroque chamber works for voices and instruments
Les Plaisirs de Versailles Chamber opera by Marc-Antoine Charpentier at Rienzi
Roman Holiday Handel’s Clori, Tirsi e Fileno
2008–2009
Legendary Lovers Cantatas and operatic scenes by Clérambault, Handel, Hasse, and Gluck
Rockin’ Rococo CPE Bach, Cello Concerto No. 2 and “Der Frühling” Chamber works of J-Ph. Rameau
Bachanalia 2008–2009 J. S. Bach wedding cantatas, oboe concerto
Women on the Verge Music for three sopranos by Rossi, Carissimi, and Haydn
Il Trionfo del Tempo
G. F. Handel
Messiah G. F. Handel. in collaboration with Moores School of Music Concert Chorale
A Musical Pleasure Garden Songs and sonatas of Handel, Arne, Shield, and their contemporaries. Outdoor performance at Bayou Bend
2007–2008
Mad Women Baroque mad scenes by Purcell, Handel, and Clerambault
Wired Bach Instrumental music by the Bach family
Love and War Madrigals by Claudio Monteverdi
Clandestine Classics Handel’ Gloria and Bach’ Ich habe genug
A Marian Feast Religious music by A. Scarlatti
When in Rome Carissimi, Mazzocchi, and Gallerano
Duelling Divas Handel and Bach
2006–2007
Stravaganze! Scarlatti, Handel, and Vivaldi
Celestial Sirens Music for the Concerte delle donne
Biber, Bach, and Bubbly Brandenburg V, Orchestral Suite II, “Non sa che sia dolore”
Flavio G. F. Handel
Portraits d’amour French Baroque portraits
La Resurrezione G. F. Handel
2005–2006
Suonare e cantare Music of the Scarlattis
Clori, Tirsi e Fileno G. F. Handel
La descente d’Orphée aux enfers M. A. Charpentier
Goldberg Variations J. S. Bach
..Mozart @ 250 Sonatas and Trios
Lettere d'amore Monteverdi and his contemporaries
The Art of Buxtehude Vocal and instrumental chamber music
Esther G. F. Handel
2004–2005
Actéon M. A. Charpentier
Piano Trios and Songs J. Haydn
Stabat Mater D. Scarlatti
La Concettione della Beata Vergine A Scarlatti
St John Passion J. S. Bach
Hagar and Ishmael A. Scarlatti
2003–2004
Il primo omicidio A. Scarlatti
Vespers of 1610 C. Monteverdi
La Giuditta A. Scarlatti
“The range and quality of Dirst’s creations are as remarkable as the relentless ease with which he brings it all off.”
— CounterPunch
MAGNIFICAT
“Ars Lyrica and Orpheus Chamber Singers presented an excellent, and sold out, concert to an enthusiastic and appreciate audience.”
— Theater Jones
A VIENNESE NEW YEAR
“Ars Lyrica’s concert gala nods to the merriment associated with Vienna with a playbill that includes Strauss’ adorable Pizzicato Polka—on period instruments—alongside works by Gluck, Mozart, Fux and Schmeltzer.”— CultureMap
HASSE: MARC’ANTONIO E CLEOPATRA
“a thrilling performance that glows in its quieter moments and sparkles with vitality”
— Early Music America
LA DIRINDINA
“Such theatrical works have become the calling card of Ars Lyrica and its artistic director, Matthew Dirst. They seem to evoke inspired performances by the group.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
1610 VESPERS
“Dirst’s crisp but expressive direction yielded impressive precision, but also rhythmic buoyancy and rhetorical freedom. Lines were lovingly shaped, harmonic crunches viscerally felt, phrases elegantly rounded off...It was one of the most glorious musical experiences I’ve had in 11 years in Dallas.”— Scott Cantrel, Dallas Morning News
HAIL! BRIGHT CECILIA
“Dirst's direction in O Sing and the two instrumental pieces was precise and the music-making by the choir and period-instrument musicians...exciting.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI: EURIDICE DALL’INFERNO / LA CONCETTIONE DELLA BEATA VERGINE
“...impassioned performance of strongly characterized and eloquent music.”
“...played with exemplary skill and taste”
— John Vickers, Gramophone
“It's heartening to see Ars Lyrica enhancing its reputation with the release of this recording. Long may they keep the Baroque fires burning, not just in Houston but now around the world!”
— St. John Flynn, KUHF
MAD WOMEN
“Ars Lyrica sets the standard in opening the city’s classical music season. A vividly imagined program, two riveting singers and zestful music-making combined for a great evening of Baroque music.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
DUELLING DIVAS
“The concert meshed sparkling music with lush vocals. Ars Lyrica’s focus not merely on singing and playing, but also on acting and showing that classical music is fun, is a worthy endeavor, indeed.”
— Holly Beretto, ArtsHouston
CELESTIAL SIRENS
“Melissa Givens, Tracy Rhodus and Natalie Arduino...sang with vibrant style, technical pizzazz and strong communication.” “Celestial Sirens was another of Ars Lyrica’s creative and beautifully performed programs. The group continues to set the agenda for imaginative period-instrument programming in Houston.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
Listen to an excerpt: L ROSSI Udite amanti
CLORI, TIRSI E FILENO
“When cultural historians plot the development of the early music movement in Houston, the Ars Lyrica presentation of Handel’s Clori, Tirsi e Fileno will be one of the landmarks.” “The Houston singers were stylish and confident. The orchestra...played with exhilarating energy.” “With the event, Ars Lyrica has established itself as the leader among Houston’s early music ensembles.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
Listen to G. F. HANDEL Overture to Clori, Tirsi e Fileno
GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
“[Dirst’s] was playing of irresistible rhythmic impulse, the rhythm not of the metronome but of a fine dancer ever minutely adjusting to gravity’s tug. He commanded the music’s intellectual rigors but also luxuriated in its pure delight. And there was pretty dazzling virtuosity.”
— Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News
HAGAR AND ISHMAEL
“Countertenor Gerrod Pagenkopf...sang with gorgeous, even tone and exquisite emotional nuance. Soprano Melissa Givens offered her trademark clear sound and charming involvement as Sarah and the Angel. UH bass-baritone Timothy Jones was convincingly distraught as Abraham. Mezzo-soprano Sonja Bruzauskas sang Ishmael with bright color and youthful vigor. Dirst led a crisp, expressive performance...the small ensemble played with zest.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
IL PRIMO OMICIDIO
“Dirst led a vigorous performance that revealed the brilliance and depth of Scarlatti’s music very well. Every singer poured great intensity into the music. The accompaniment by the continuo group — harpsichord or organ, theorbo or Baroque guitar, Baroque cello and occasionally double bass — was exquisitely sensitive and colorful.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
VESPERS OF 1610
“The musicians made the city proud. The Houston Chamber choir, instrumental ensemble Ars Lyrica Houston and visiting wind band the Whole Noyse offered the first period instruments performance — and possibly the Houston premiere — of the great Vespers of 1610 by Claudio Monteverdi. Thursday’s first-class performance...elicited warm, sustained applause from the discerning crowd in the acoustically excellent Moores Opera House.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
LA GIUDITTA
“Ars Lyrica’s presentation came as close to opera as I’ve ever seen with three sterling singers, crisp articulation from the period string-and-continuo band, and intelligent, detailed direction.”
— Rosemary Ponnekanti, Arts Houston
Ars Lyrica Houston | 4807 San Felipe, Suite 202 | Houston, Texas 77056 | info@arslyricahouston.org | 713-622-7443