Folger Consort Kicks Off 50th Season with Monteverdi's Timeless Music from the 17th Century

Celebrating Monteverdi's Legacy: Folger Consort's 50th Season

The Folger Shakespeare Library is thrilled to usher in its 50th season of the acclaimed Folger Consort, showcasing a stunning tribute to the legendary 17th-century composer Claudio Monteverdi and the flourishing Baroque era. Set within the enchanting Elizabethan style Theatre, the concert series, titled "Monteverdi's Legacy," will take place from September 11-13, 2026. This season marks a celebration of nearly five decades of remarkable music performances that bridge the gap between past and present.

Co-Artistic Directors Robert Eisenstein and Christopher Kendall expressed their excitement, stating, "While we often look forward, this season invites us to indulge in nostalgia by revisiting some of the music that launched our journey all those years ago." This year, they aim to highlight musical pieces from a golden age in Venice at the dawn of the 17th century, coinciding with Shakespeare's own era. The initial season of Folger Consort proudly introduced audiences to the same revolutionary music that continues to resonate today.

Monteverdi's groundbreaking compositions, notably his concerted madrigals, which seamlessly blend vocal and instrumental elements, will be a focal point of the performances. His innovative approach harnessed emotionally charged musical techniques that were transforming the landscape of chamber music and opera, ultimately influencing sacred music forms as well. Through this concert series, attendees will experience an array of Monteverdi's masterful works along with pieces composed by his contemporaries and successors, such as Giovanni Battista Fontana and Biagio Marini, notable figures in the development of violin sonatas, and the brilliant Francesco Corbetta, famous for his guitar compositions during the Restoration era.

The evening's repertoire will also feature works from Girolamo Frescobaldi, celebrated for his keyboard genius, and other renowned artists influenced by Monteverdi, including Francesco Cavalli, a prolific opera composer and one of the many who carried forward Monteverdi's musical legacy. Each concert will celebrate the long-lasting impact and revolutionary spirit of Monteverdi's work while also highlighting the talents of contemporary virtuosos performing these timeless pieces.

Among the talented artists appearing in the concert are Jessica Beebe (soprano), Tatiana Chulochnikova (violin), Agnes Coakley Cox (soprano), and Joseph Gascho (harpsichord), to name a few. Their dedication to early music promises to provide a captivating experience reflective of the sound world that Monteverdi and his peers inhabited.

Tickets for the performances start at a reasonable $20-$50, with various discounts available for students, educators, military, and Folger members. Patrons can purchase tickets online via folger.edu/consort or by calling the Folger box office at (202) 544-7077.

To enhance the concert experience, especially for the curious-minded attendees, there will be pre-show discussions led by Eisenstein and Kendall, taking place before the performances on September 11 and 12. These insightful conversations promise to delve deeper into the rich history of the compositions being performed. Additionally, a virtual seminar hosted by Eisenstein on September 9 will provide an exclusive preview of the music in the series, serving as a noteworthy opportunity for both new and seasoned listeners to engage with this extraordinary period of music.

The Folger Consort is grateful to its Premier Season Sponsor, **Andrea