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The Garden of Love in Miniature

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Balam icarus 3 photo by steven speliotis webThe dances in this performance are inspired by two themes seen in Baroque art, the miniature and nature. For the Baroque noble, the latter offered opportunities to be in nature, to show off and be seen, to convene with a lover, and to commune with one’s private thoughts. The imagined characters presented in this work draw upon romanticized images of the Unicorn Tapestries, circa 1500, at The Cloisters of The Metropolitan Museum, and the idyllic pastoral scenes painted by François Boucher. Also, Baroque dance choreographies by dance masters Louis Pecour and Raul-Auger Fueillet were used to inspire BALAM’s stylized historically informed choreography, as were the mysterious and fantastical Balinese theatrical elements of a hand carved wooden mask, and a pair of golden scroll leather wings. The result is a feel-good entertainment that suggests the French Baroque operatic entr’act divertissement.

 

Dongmyung Ahn ~ violin
Dongsok Shin ~ harpsichord
Lisa Terry ~ viola da gamba
Ryan Closs ~ theorbo
Eugenia Forteza ~ dancer (Madama Amorina)
Yumiko Niimi ~ dancer (bird)
Carlos Fittante ~ dancer (Apollo, deer, male lover) & choreographer

BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM) creates original cross-cultural works inspired by the fantasy and opulence of Balinese and Baroque theatre. The company’s Baroque programming has been presented by numerous period ensembles including: Voices of Music, Apollo’s Fire, Boston Early Music Festival, American Virtuosi, as well as with the Semara Ratih Gamelan of Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

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1:15 – 2:00 pm
All concerts are free; no tickets or reservations are necessary.

In person at The Church of the Transfiguration, 1 E 29th St, New York City

Live stream details: You can watch it on your computer in any of two places by clicking on the name you wish: our website or YouTube.

Midtown Concerts sponsors lunchtime performances of music of the 18th century and earlier. Ensembles are chosen by a panel of early music specialists from the metropolitan area.

Time: Thursdays, 1:15–2:00 pm
All concerts are free; no tickets or reservations are necessary.

Concerts are in person at St. Malachy's Church, 239 West 49th Street, Manhattan, AND live streamed.