Gotham Early Music Scene

GEMS Fifth Anniversary Events
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♦ Production of enhanced Midtown Concerts series of free weekly performances
Thursdays at 1:15 pm, starting October 11

ALREADY HELD EVENTS

♦ Opening concert and gala reception
Thursday, October 4 at 7:30 pm
♦ GEMINI award to Michael and Kay Jaffee, founders of Waverly Consort
Thursday, October 4, at gala reception
♦ Presentation of Early Music America’s Baroque Competition finalists’ concert
Wednesday, October 10 at 7:00 pm
♦ Inauguration of new “GEMAS - Early Music of the Americas” concert series
Friday, November 9 at 7:00 pm
♦ Judith Tarling Reception/Presentation and Lecture
Wednesday, November 14 and Thursday, November 15
♦ Collaboration with Trinity Church's "Twelfth Night" Festival
Thursday, December 27 at 7:30 pm & Saturday, December 29 at 3:00 pm
♦ Return engagement of “The Play of Daniel” at The Cloisters
January 11-13, and January 18-20, 2013 at 1:00 pm and at 3:00 pm

Thursday, October 11 and (almost) every Thursday thereafter until June 13, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Midtown Concerts
35 FREE concerts by competitively selected ensembles
Saint Peter’s Church, 619 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan
FREE

GEMS is proud to assume the production of this 14-year-old series of free 35-minute concerts by distinguished early music ensembles from around the world.  Originally conceived and produced by Gwendolyn Toth and ARTEK, the series of short mid-day concerts in a midtown location has become a mainstay of New York’s cultural calendar.

Thursday, October 4 at 7:30 pm
New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 West 64th Street
Tickets $40, $125 (with reception)

Sinfonia New York offers The Art & Ecstasy of the Chaconne, called “sizzling” and “impeccable” by The New York Times in 2009.  The performance is a visual and musical history of the chaconne, from its origins as a wild and sacrilegious street dance in Spain to its apotheosis in the Chaconne from Bach's Partita in D minor for unaccompanied violin.  Music, dance, and song take us on a tour through Europe via Spain, Italy, England, France and Germany.  The program's debut show in 2009 was sold out and received enthusiastic reviews from all who attended.

Gala Reception and Awards Ceremony

Following the concert, patrons will enjoy a supper menu and drinks in the Society’s “Ceremonial Room.”  GEMS will present the first GEMINI awards, recognizing artistic accomplishment and service to the early music community.  We are delighted that Michael and Kay Jaffee, founders of the seminal “Waverly Consort,” will be our first honorees.  Mike, Kay, several Waverly “alumni,” and many of their distinguished colleagues will be on hand as they receive the awards.

Wednesday, October 10 at 7:00 pm
Early Music America's Baroque Performance Competition
Corpus Christi Church, West 121st Street and Broadway
Tickets $20/$10 (students and EMA members)

A showcase concert featuring the six finalists in Early Music America’s competition for new and emerging baroque ensembles based in North America.  The winner, selected at the concert by a panel of judges, will receive a $3,000 cash prize and engagements with four major presenters around the country.  An “audience favorite” prize of $1,000 will also be awarded.  Ensembles competing will be Agave Baroque, Ostraka, Pallade Musica, The Sebastians, Les Sirènes, and Zweikampf.  More information on EMA's website.

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Friday, November 9, 2012, at 7:00 pm
GEMAS – Early Music of the Americas inaugural concert
¡Jacaras! 18th-century Guitar Music from Brazil
Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, Manhattan
Tickets:  $20

Paul O’Dette, guitar and lute

Internationally celebrated lutenist and conductor Paul O’Dette inaugurates this new concert series devoted to early music of the Americas, produced by GEMS in collaboration with the Americas Society.  This opening concert has been designated by Carnegie Hall as part of their “Voices from Latin America” series.

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"Coffee and cake" reception to meet and welcome Judy Tarling
with semi-humorous/semi-serious lecture
by Ms. Tarling on a surprise musical topic
Accompanied by voice and keyboard
Wednesday, November 14 at 8 pm
Location ~ Gracious Manhattan apartment
Admission ~ $30

GEMS is collaborating with Trinity Wall Street Church to present two celebratory concerts during their "Twelfth Night Festival":

Our offerings will complement Trinity Church's annual production of Bach's Christmas Oratorio and Green Mountain Project's Vespers.
TICKETS COMING SOON

Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 7:30 pm
As it Fell on a Holie Eve
Trinity Church, Broadway at Wall Street, Manhattan
Tickets:  $25

Parthenia, a consort of viols
with Julianne Baird, soprano

Music for an Elizabethan Christmas by William Byrd, Anthony Holborne, Thomas Morley, and more, performed by a quartet of viols and soprano voice.

Saturday, December 29 at 3:00 pm
A Christmas Concert for all Ages
Trinity Church, Broadway at Wall Street, Manhattan
Tickets: $25

The Sinfonia Players
Christine Gummere, artistic director
with Andrew Magill, conductor and voices from the Trinity Choir

Music and poetry for Christmas suitable for families.  The one-hour concert includes a reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” lively baroque instrumental music, and popular Christmas choral music.

12 performances over two weekends:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, January 11-13, and January 18-20, 2013 at 1:00 pm and at 3:00 pm
The Play of Daniel
Presented by Concerts at The Cloisters
The Cloisters Museum and Gardens, a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
Tickets: $75

Mary Anne Ballard and Drew Minter, directors

A return engagment for the 12th-century play of the story of Daniel in the lion's den.  Sung entirely in Latin, the GEMS production includes dance and performances by many of New York’s finest period instrumentalists and singers.  Acclaimed by The New York Times, the fully-costumed liturgical drama was commissioned and presented by The Cloisters in 2008 and is reprised this season to celebrate the Cloisters 75th anniversary.

BUY TICKETS HERE