upcoming performances
Wednesday English Country Dance at the Concord Scout House (Boston)
A mix of elegantly simple to challenging dances, from the traditional to the contemporary, featuring music by Seven Times Salt
Zafarán Album Release Concert (Boston)
Carmen Marsico & Zafarán explore music that crosses time and boundaries, incorporating traditions from all over the Mediterranean, with a focus on the folk traditions of Basilicata as well as Rom migration patterns. This special concert will commemorate the launch of their first album, “Zafarán”.
Irish Session at Coopershill Pub (Peterborough, NH)
Enjoy good food, a great pint of Guinness, and a rollicking traditional Irish session led by members of ISHNA, including Dan Meyers, David McGrory, Ciarán Nagle, Tara Novak, and Björn Wennås.
"Kings and Commonwealth" with Folger Consort (Washington DC)
The music from the court of King James I reflects the political and religious upheavals in early seventeenth century England. The Folger Consort will perform political ballads of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, along with instrumental music from both James’ and Charles I’s courts and swaggering and silly political songs from Thomas D’Urfey’s Pills to Purge Melancholy.
"Body and Soul" with Crescendo (Lakeville, CT)
Roman composer Emilio Cavalieri wrote and premiered his groundbreaking work Rappresentatione di anima et di corpo with great success in 1600. The question remains, whether this work is considered an opera or an oratorio (sacred drama)!
The subject, an allegorical drama, is a lively debate over worldly vanities versus a spiritual life. It features six allegorical figures: Anima, the Soul (soprano), Corpo, the Body (baritone), Good Counsel (bass), Intellect (tenor), Time (bass), Pleasure (mezzo-soprano), and a chorus that comments on the action, accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Arias, recitativos, ensemble pieces and dance alternate to create a varied and dramatic and entertaining representation of the plot. This is something that we take for granted now, as we are so used to this format in opera, cantata, oratorio, and also the popular contemporary musicals.
"Body and Soul" with Crescendo (Great Barrington, MA)
Roman composer Emilio Cavalieri wrote and premiered his groundbreaking work Rappresentatione di anima et di corpo with great success in 1600. The question remains, whether this work is considered an opera or an oratorio (sacred drama)!
The subject, an allegorical drama, is a lively debate over worldly vanities versus a spiritual life. It features six allegorical figures: Anima, the Soul (soprano), Corpo, the Body (baritone), Good Counsel (bass), Intellect (tenor), Time (bass), Pleasure (mezzo-soprano), and a chorus that comments on the action, accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Arias, recitativos, ensemble pieces and dance alternate to create a varied and dramatic and entertaining representation of the plot. This is something that we take for granted now, as we are so used to this format in opera, cantata, oratorio, and also the popular contemporary musicals.
"A Health To The Company" with Seven Times Salt (Boston)
17th-century London roars to life in this convivial program of tunes for the tavern including jovial drinking songs, love ballads both naughty and nice, and rustic catches for carousing with friends.
We imagine an evening in good company at the tavern, by the fireplace, with a favorite beverage in hand. We share tales of pickpockets and punks, wise maids and goodfellows, the wonders of tobacco, the pitfalls of gambling, and the delights of good ale. Between toasts, we contemplate the meaning of life and reflect on unrequited love. Rounding out the evening’s merriment are works by Wilbye, Ravenscroft, and Sumarte, along with our original settings of lively country dances. In this spirit of cheerful musical camaraderie, our program celebrates the joys of gathering with friends.
Elise Groves, soprano, percussion
Corey Dalton Hart, tenor, recorder
Karen Burciaga, violin, guitar, alto
Dan Meyers, recorders, flutes, bagpipes, percussion, baritone
David H. Miller, bass viol, baritone
Matthew Wright, lute, cittern, tenor
Pazzi Lazzi workshop at Smith College (Northampton, MA)
Chiara Durazzini and Dan Meyers of Pazzi Lazzi present a workshop for Smith College students on the music and movement of commedia dell’arte.
New Music With Mehmet Ali Sanlikol and DÜNYA (Boston)
As part of NEC’s Annual Jordan Hall series, Mehmet Ali Sanlikol and DÜNYA present a program of Turkish and Turkish-inspired compositions, with an eclectic vocal and instrumental ensemble.
Irish Session at Coopershill Pub (Peterborough, NH)
Enjoy good food, a great pint of Guinness, and a rollicking traditional Irish session led by members of ISHNA, including Dan Meyers, David McGrory, Ciarán Nagle, Tara Novak, and Björn Wennås.
Music from 17th-century istanbul with DÜNYA (Boston)
In this 90-minute program, part of the Renaissance Society of America’s 2025 National Conference, the DÜNYA Ensemble will perform repertoire from the 17th century Istanbul including examples of classical Ottoman/Turkish music, Sufi music, entertainment and dance music, and various kinds of folk music with rhythmic complexity that is not to be found in current Turkish musics. In addition, DÜNYA will also include several examples of music from around the same period notated by European travelers and European music notated for Ottoman music practitioners.
An Irish Celebration with Ishna (Worcester, MA)
A festive journey through the dance, music, and stories of Ireland, featuring Irish Tenor Ciaran Nagle and his wife Tara Novak on fiddle and vocals. They are joined on stage by some of the Boston area's top musicians and dancers. Grab a pint and march into St. Patrick's Day in true Irish style!
A St. Patrick’s Day Party with Ishna (Shirley, Ma)
A festive journey through the dance, music, and stories of Ireland, featuring Irish Tenor Ciaran Nagle and his wife Tara Novak on fiddle and vocals. They are joined on stage by some of the Boston area's top musicians and dancers. Grab a pint and march into St. Patrick's Day in true Irish style!
An Irish Celebration with Ishna (Manchester, NH)
A festive journey through the dance, music, and stories of Ireland, featuring Irish Tenor Ciaran Nagle and his wife Tara Novak on fiddle and vocals. They are joined on stage by some of the Boston area's top musicians and dancers. Grab a pint and march into St. Patrick's Day in true Irish style!
Wednesday English Country Dance (Boston)
A mix of elegantly simple to challenging dances, and traditional to contemporary dances, with Jacqueline Schwab (piano), Mary Lea (fiddle), and Dan Meyers (winds and percussion).
Sliding scale admission, $5 - $15