Announcement

Due to an unexpected family loss, we will be postponing the final two events of the Baroque & Unknown series. Our first two events will now be known as Season 1, with plans to resume and host the remaining events at a later date. You can look forward to the Baroque & Unknown podcast, launching early 2025, where we’ll revisit these stories and experiences, while taking you behind the scenes of Season 2. Thank you for your support, and we can’t wait to continue this journey with you soon!

Discover the music and lives of unknown Baroque women composers through a podcast and series of cocktail party-style music history classes. Featuring Guest Speakers, Live Performances, Immersive Experiences and Food & Beverage Pairings. So you can rewrite your experience with music herstory while having a good time.

THANK YOU SEASON 1 SPONSORS & PARTNERS

  • Arts Council for Monterey

  • Wendi Kirby Music

  • Uncle Nearest Whiskey

  • Chic Charcuterique

  • The Boulanger Initiative

  • Clusterfunk Vintage

Event Postponed to 2025:

NIGHT THREE: Where Are Our Local Composers?

Featured Composers: Sor Juana Inez De La Cruz, Isabella Leonarda and Stephanie Valadez

How did Baroque music vary by region? Where are our local composers now? Come celebrate Dia De Los Muertos and third night of the Baroque & Unknown series, as we travel from Italy to England to Mexico to Monterey, highlighting Isabella Leonarda (1620-1704), Lady Mary Dering (1629-1704), Sor La Juana Inez De La Cruz (1651-1695), and local living composer, Stephanie Valadez.

Stephanie Valadez, Executive Director of Xicameri Productions, will also be our featured Guest Speaker, sharing insights into both Sor Juan’s life and compositions while finding ties to the Central Coast. We’ll highlight the sole-surviving works of two featured composers and feature a new work from Stephanie’s ensemble, Mecate. This is going to be a one-night only experience. Paired food and beverage tastings available and seating is limited.

Date: POSTPONED
Location: Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell Street
Time: 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Guest Speaker: Stephanie Valadez
Featured Artists: Stephanie Valadez & The Mecate Ensemble
Pairings By: Uncle Nearest, Chic Charcuterique, and More!

Event Postponed to 2025:

NIGHT FOUR: From Baroque to Now.

Featured Composers: Elisabeth Claude Jacquet de la Guerre, Belle Von Zuyllen, and all prior featured composers in series.

President & CEO of the Monterey County Symphony, Nicola Reilly, joins us as the featured Guest Speaker for the fourth and final night of Baroque & Unknown series, with Special Guest Composer (TBA). Together the two will chat about their own musical heritage and what it means to move forward as a music organization post-2020. Select members of the Monterey County Symphony will present a brief program of Instrumental works highlighting composers in the series, while the event will welcome you into the world of Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre and Belle von Zuyllen. Paired food and beverage tastings supplied by local small businesses and seating is especially limited for the series finale.

Date: POSTPONED
Location: Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell Street
Time: 6:30PM -8:30PM
Guest Speaker: Nicola Shangrow Reilly, President & CEO, Monterey County Symphony
Artists: Select members of Monterey County Symphony
Pairings By: Uncle Nearest, Chic Charcuterique & More!

OUR FEATURED GUEST SPEAKERS

  • Kathryn Radakovich, Learning & Engagement Director, Boulanger Initiative

    As Learning & Engagement Director for the Boulanger Initiative, Kathryn Radakovich is dedicated to promoting the work of underrepresented women composers through education and performance. The Boulanger Initiative champions gender equity in music, and Kathryn's expertise as an "expressive soprano" (Opus Colorado) and seasoned educator aligns perfectly with this mission. With a career spanning Baroque to contemporary music, Kathryn has performed with renowned ensembles like Roomful of Teeth and Lorelei Ensemble. Her role in the Baroque & Unknown series highlights her passion for music history and her commitment to creating opportunities for women composers to be heard and celebrated.

  • Charissa Noble, Musicologist

    Charissa Noble is a musicologist specializing in 20th-century modern art and music, experimental vocal practice, and critical voice studies. As the Executive Director of San Diego New Music, she is committed to advancing contemporary music and art in Southern California. While her research often focuses on modern and experimental genres, Charissa brings a unique perspective to the Baroque & Unknown series, exploring connections between historical and contemporary creative communities. On October 17th, she will lead a discussion on sustaining creative social circles, drawing parallels between the Baroque composer Barbara Strozzi's artistic network and modern creative spaces. This cross-era exploration will highlight how social environments continue to shape artistic innovation.

  • Stephanie Valadez,

    Stephanie Valadez, Composer & Executive Director, Xicameri Productions

    Stephanie Valadez is the Executive Artistic Director of Xicameri Productions and a Mexican-American musician specializing in Latin American and pre-Hispanic music and dance. She will be featured as our Guest Speaker as well as perform with her band, The Mecate Ensemble, in honor of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz on November 1st, Día de los Muertos. As a PhD candidate in Cross-Cultural Musicology at UCSC, Stephanie's work uplifts underrepresented voices, blending music, dance, and advocacy to create powerful experiences for the community.

  • Nicola Shangrow Reilly

    Nicola Shangrow Reilly is the CEO of the Monterey Symphony and a seasoned arts administrator with experience at the Carmel Bach Festival and California State University Monterey Bay. As a violinist and advocate for musical heritage, Nicola will curate a trio of players to perform works by Jacquet de la Guerre and other composers in the series for the final night of the Season 1. She'll also be featured as a Guest Speaker and will be joined by composer John Wineglass to reflect on the evolution of representation in classical music.

  • John Wineglass

    John Wineglass is a three-time Emmy Award-winning composer whose work spans concert halls, film, and television. As Composer in Residence for the Monterey Symphony, John’s compositions often explore the intersection of history, heritage, and community impact. For Baroque & Unknown’s finale, John will share his insights on representation in music from Baroque to today, highlighting how we can expand the narrative of classical music.

Did you miss part of the series?

We’re bundling all the performance recordings and Guest Speaker interviews from the series into a podcast set to be released officially in 2025. Check out what took place below…

NIGHT ONE:
Where Are The Women?

Featuring Special Guest Speaker: Kathryn Radakovich, Learning & Engagement Director at The Boulanger Initiative. An organization advocating for music composed by women through performance, education, research, consulting, and commissions

Where are the women composers in classical music? How can we find, celebrate, and uplift them? Join us on Thursday, October 3rd, for the kick-off of the Baroque & Unknown series, featuring Kathryn Radakovich, Learning and Development Director of The Boulanger Initiative, as we explore these crucial questions. Our evening experience will transport you to 15th Century Italy, highlighting the music and lives of two remarkable composers: Vittoria Raffaella Aleotti (1575-1620) and Francesca Caccini (1587-1640). You’ll learn about Aleotti’s life as a renowned nun and conductor, and Caccini’s pioneering career at the Medici court as the first Italian woman to compose an opera. Five Women of The Central Coast Chamber Choir will perform these composers' works in an intimate, salon-style setting. Plus, enjoy paired food and beverage tastings from Uncle Nearest and Chic Charcuterique as we immerse ourselves in the unknown. *Seating is limited.

Featured Composers: Vittoria Aleotti & Francesca Caccini
Date: Thursday, October 3nd, 2024
Location: Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell Street
Time: 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Guest Speaker: Kathryn Radakovich, The Boulanger Initiative
Featured Artists: The Baroque & Unknown Quintet, comprised of members of the Central Coast Chamber Choir and I Cantori Di Carmel
Pairings By: Chic Charcuterique & Uncle Nearest and more!

NIGHT TWO: Where Are Our Creative Social Circles? An Evening in Barbara Strozzi’s Artist Salon

Featuring Expert Guest Speaker, Musicologist Dr. Charissa Noble. Dr. Noble is an assistant professor at the University of San Diego, specializes in US avant-garde music and interdisciplinary research in experimental music and critical voice studies. She explores historical narratives and their societal reflections, presenting at major academic gatherings and publishing in esteemed journals. Dr. Noble also co-directs the San Diego New Verbal Workshop and is Executive Director of San Diego New Music.

Praised by Opera News for her "relish and energy," mezzo-soprano Max Potter is a dynamic artist known for her expressive vocalism. She will be performing alongside Creative Voice Hosts, while chatting with us about her social media management company, Digitelle Co, that supports artists.

Where do creative people gather in our community? Join us for the second night of the Baroque & Unknown series on Thursday, October 17th, as we transform Wendi Kirby Music into an inviting salon space hosted by local Creative Voice Producers and Performers, Christina Bailey and Soph Gonzalez. We’ll explore the life of Barbara Strozzi while asking the question: What happens when we decentralize the composer and embrace the social nature of music?

Guest Speaker and Musicologist Dr. Charissa Noble will discuss the historical context of Barbara Strozzi and Artist Salons, while celebrated opera singer Max Potter will share insights on behalf of her digital marketing company, Digitelle Co, highlighting the modern challenges and opportunities for artists. Enjoy salon-style performances from Max Potter and hosts, Christina Bailey, Sophia Gonzalez, Wendi Kirby, and local music student Ella Duenas, showcasing Barbara Strozzi’s songs of desperation, love, and betrayal.

Date: Thursday, October 17th, 2024
Location: Wendi Kirby Music, 550 Hartnell Street
Time: 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Guest Speaker: Charissa Noble
Featured Artists: Max Potter, Wendi Kirby, Christina Bailey, Sophia Gonzalez, Ella Duenas
Pairings By: Chic Charcuterique and Uncle Nearest and more!

Meet Christina Bailey

Meet Christina Bailey

Hi, I’m Christina! I conceptualized the Baroque & Unknown Series after being inspired by The Boulanger Initiative to restore my music education with more music herstory. The series is made possible by an individual Artist Grant from the Arts Council of Monterey County and is hopefully the first of many as me, and the Creative Voice Production team, see this as an ongoing series and podcast. Imagine something like “Romantic & Unknown” next year! You can help support the series by purchasing tickets, inviting friends and loved ones, and sharing the details on your social media. See you in October!

Meet The Creative Voice Production Team

  • Matt Bailey

    Monterey based Actor, Dramaturg, Drummer, and Artist Mentor, Matt Bailey joins the Baroque & Unknown Series as an Event Producer and lover of history. Matt will help produce the Audio Visual experience both at the events and on the podcast taking you behind the scenes of the series. You can also find Matt as an Actor and Musician at New Canon Theatre.

  • Sophia Gonzalez

    Monterey based Mezzo-Soprano and Voice Educator, Sophia Gonzalez, joins the Baroque & Unknown series as a Producer, Performer, and Mentor. We’ll welcome one of Soph’s young adult voice students to perform alongside her for Strozzi night as multiple generations of musicians start to explore and experience unknown music togeher. When Soph isn’t teaching, you can find her as a premier soloist in I Cantori Di Carmel and the Central Coast Chamber Choir.

GET TO KNOW THE COMPOSERS

GET TO KNOW THE COMPOSERS

Vittoria Aleotti
(A.K.A. Rafaella Aleotti)
ca. 1575- after 1620

Night one of Baroque & Unknown features Vittoria Aleotti, an esteemed Italian nun, composer, and organist from Ferrara Italy. Born in 1575 to architect Giovanni Battista Aleotti, Vittoria displayed exceptional musical talent early on, astonishing her family and teacher Alessandro Milleville with her harpsichord skills. She joined the renowned convent of San Vitto at 14, where she became known as Raffaella Aleotti, although it remains uncertain if Vittoria and Raffaella were the same person. Aleotti's groundbreaking collection of madrigals, "Ghirlanda de madrigali a quattro voci," published in 1593, marked the first known printed works of sacred music by a woman. Renowned for her organ playing, she was highly respected in her convent and beyond, dedicating her life to teaching, directing, and performing.

Francesca Caccini
“La Cecchina”
(1587-1640)”

Night one also features Francesca Caccini, an Italian composer, singer, and musician from Florence whose remarkable talents have often been overlooked. Born on September 18, 1587, into the cultured Caccini family, Francesca was nurtured in a rich musical environment by her father, Giulio Caccini. She excelled in singing, playing the lute, and writing poetry, and adopted her father’s modern monodic style. After an impressive performance at the wedding of King Henry IV and Maria de Medici, she was invited to remain at the French court as a singer and harpsichordist. Known for her exceptional skill, she toured Italy, earning widespread acclaim. Caccini’s notable works include "Il primo libro," a pioneering collection of vocal songs, and "La liberazione di Ruggiero," the first opera composed by a woman. Her compositions, characterized by innovative use of basslines and harmonies, significantly influenced the Italian singing tradition and the development of the romantic "bel canto" style.

Leonora Duarte
(1610-ca. 1678)

During night two of the series, come discover the intriguing Leonora Duarte, a Flemish composer and musician born in 1610 in Antwerp to a wealthy Portuguese-Jewish family. Despite their outward Catholic appearance, the Duarte family secretly maintained their Jewish faith. Leonora, one of six siblings in a highly musical household, composed seven sinfonias, considered the earliest known music for viol by a woman in the 17th century. The Duarte home was a hub of cultural activity, frequented by notable figures like Constantijn Huygens. Leonora's compositions, specifically her seven fantasies for a consort of five viols, highlight her unique talent. The Duarte family's extensive connections and patronage of the arts allowed Leonora to thrive in a vibrant musical environment.

Night two also features Barbara Strozzi, a remarkable Venetian composer born in 1619 at the height of the city's cultural and musical innovation. The adopted (and possibly illegitimate) daughter of composer Giulio Strozzi, Barbara received extensive musical training from an early age, performing for her father's guests and prominent musicians. Her father’s creation of the Accademia degli Unisoni was pivotal in promoting her talent. Strozzi's primary teacher, Francesco Cavalli, influenced her compositional style, particularly her blend of recitative and aria techniques. In 1644, she published her first volume of madrigals and went on to produce seven more sets of vocal pieces, though one set has been lost. Strozzi's work is notable for its imaginative melody, rhythm, and unique harmonies, often featuring unprepared dissonances to express emotional depth. She primarily composed cantatas and arias for soprano, frequently inspired by texts that explored themes of love and longing. Despite her considerable output and acclaim, Barbara Strozzi died in 1677 with little to show for her success.

Barbara Strozzi
(1619-1677)

Isabella Leonarda
(1620-1704)

Isabella Leonarda was a prolific composer from a prominent family in Northwest Italy. At the age of 16, she entered a convent, where she dedicated her life to music and rose to the rank of mother superior by 1676. She likely studied composition under Gasparo Casati, who praised her talent highly. Known primarily for her sacred music, Leonarda composed numerous psalm settings, concerted masses, and solo motets, celebrated for their sensuous lyricism. Additionally, she made significant contributions to instrumental music, with her Opus 16, published in 1693, containing the earliest known sonatas by a woman.

Lady Mary Dering
(1629-1704)

Mary, Lady Dering was an English composer born Mary Harvey in 1629. Educated at Mrs. Salmon's school in Hackney, she married Sir Edward Dering in 1648, and together they had seventeen children. Despite her familial duties, Dering pursued music under Henry Lawes, who dedicated his "Second Book of Airs" to her. Notably, Dering's compositions, including "When First I Saw Fair Doris' Eyes," were featured in this volume, marking her as the first female composer with published works in England.

Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre
(1665-1729)

Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre was a prodigious talent born into a family of Parisian musicians in the mid-seventeenth century. Her exceptional skill led her to perform harpsichord works for Louis XIV as a child, and she later secured a position at the French court while still in her teens. Even after marrying organist Marin de la Guerre in 1684, Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre continued to compose, teach music, and perform across Paris. Renowned in her time as a composer of chamber music, particularly the trio sonata, she earned acclaim comparable to Lully in the esteemed La Parnasse françois by Titon du Tillet. Notably, she ventured into stage works, crafting a lost ballet, "Les jeux à l’honneur de la victoire" (1691), and an opera, "Céphale de Procris" (1694), believed to be France's first opera by a woman.

Belle van Zuylen was born Isabella Agneta Elisabeth van Tuyll van Serooskerken, in 1740 near Utrecht, Netherlands. Raised in Castle Zuylen, she received a home education before embarking on transformative travels to Switzerland and Paris in her youth, where she mastered French and cultivated her independence. Despite her aristocratic background, Belle challenged social norms, engaging in intimate correspondence with Swiss army colonel David Louis de Constant d'Hermenches and corresponding with notable figures like James Boswell. She published works critical of nobility under a pseudonym, later focusing on correspondence and private writings to disseminate her ideas. In 1771, she married Charles-Emmanuel de Charriere de Penthaz and settled in Switzerland, but continued her intellectual pursuits, traveling extensively and engaging with luminaries such as David Hume and Benjamin Constant. Belle's literary output encompassed novels, essays, and political observations, including her noteworthy contributions to Rousseau's legacy. Her legacy lives on through her voluminous correspondence and literary works, reflecting her intellect, independence, and engagement with the intellectual and social currents of her time.

Isabelle de Charrière (Belle van Zuylen)
(1740-1805)

Baroque & Unknown: The Podcast

We’re taking you behind the scenes of the series through a limited series podcast. Come along as we dive deeper into the lives and stories of the unknown composers featured in the series through longer conversations with our guest speakers, educators, artist mentors and more.