Virtual: Community Through Music
Ars Lyrica is like a family: we have many different branches of our family tree that include world-renowned artists, musicians both local and abroad, board members, staff, audience, and more! We’re connected by our passion for great music.
To support our family, we are creating new programming and reimagining our events. Whether you're ready for a break after working or looking to learn more about early music, we hope you will join us!
On this page, you will find information and links to past and upcoming CTM virtual events.
Biweekly Bach
Biweekly Bach is Ars Lyrica Houston’s newest virtual series, traversing the 24 preludes and fugues of Johann Sebastian Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1. Every other week, a new episode features two prelude and fugue pairs, recorded in the beautiful surroundings of Rienzi, the house museum for European decorative arts of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. With inspired playing and enlightening commentary by Matthew Dirst, this series brings audiences closer than ever to the masterful music of J.S. Bach.
Episodes
January 11, 2022
Episode 1: C Major and A Minor
January 25, 2022
Episode 2: F Major and D Minor
August 30, 2022
Ep. 5: C-Sharp Major and C-Sharp Minor
September 27, 2022
Ep. 7: F-Sharp Major and F-Sharp Minor
February 8, 2022
Episode 3: B-Flat Major and G Minor
February 16, 2022
Episode 4: E-Flat Major and C Minor
September 13, 2022
Ep. 6: E Minor and A Major
October 11, 2022
Ep. 8: G Major and F Minor
Stay tuned for more episodes!
Make Music Day: June 21, 2021
Make Music Day is an annual celebration that occurs each June 21, when people in more than 1,000 cities around the world make music together on the summer solstice. Originating in France in 1982, Make Music Day has become an international phenomenon, with millions of musicians of all styles, all ages, and all skill levels reimagining their cities as stages, and using music to spread joy to their communities. And Make Music Day is spreading quickly in the United States.
Celebrate Make Music Day with Ars Lyrica with a virtual concert of music for theorbo with Michael Leopold. What is a theorbo? It’s like a guitar with its neck stretched out! The theorbo is a member of the lute family and was developed in the 1580’s as an accompaniment instrument. Builders and musicians wanted an instrument with a wider range than the lute: the theorbo has eight bass strings on its extended peg box as well as treble strings on the fingerboard.
Join Ars Lyrica musician Michael Leopold for a special segment exploring the theorbo and its solo music from France. He discusses how and why the theorbo came into existence at the end of the 16th century and what makes it such a unique member of the lute family.
Baroque Cocktails
BYOB and join the Ars Lyrica musicians before each concert broadcast to hear about the pieces on the program and the rehearsal process. After the concert, join back in for a post-concert celebration! Conversations take place on Zoom.
Check back for upcoming Baroque Cocktails dates!
Concert & Conversations
Concert & Conversations is an ongoing series that brings Ars Lyrica artists from the stage into your home. Each episode features a mini concert alongside personal stories and insight recorded from the home of the featured artist. Want access to an episode? Email info@arslyricahouston.org to find out more.
The episodes below are available with a 20/21 season All Access or Musical Digital Subscription.
Episode 30 | Metamorphosis
with Zachary Carrettín, violin
Episode 27 | Baroque & Folk: English & Irish Traditional Music
with Cecilia Duarte, mezzo-soprano
Episode 24 | Cecilia Duarte’s Ars Lyrica Journey
with Cecilia Duarte, mezzo-soprano
Episode 21 | From Johann to Yoda: Compositional Styles Across the Centuries
with Anne Leek, oboe
Episode 29 | Archivo de Guatemala
with Richard Savino, Baroque guitar
Episode 26 | Evolution of the Trumpet
with Wes Miller, trumpet
Episode 23 | The Genius of J.S. Bach
with Geoffrey Burgess, oboe and Matthew Dirst, harpsichord
Episode 20 | A Tale of Two Harpsichords
with Mario Aschauer and Matthew Dirst, harpsichords
Episode 28 | French Music Meets Theorbo
with Michael Leopold, theorbo
Episode 25 | Camille Ortiz is Back
with Camille Ortiz, soprano
Episode 22 | J.S. Bach: French Suite No. 5 in G Major
with Matthew Dirst, harpsichord
Episode 19 | The Expressive Power of Music and Medicine
with Todd Frazier, Director of Houston Methodist’s Center for Performing Arts Medicine
OR click on the free episodes below to watch:
Episode 18 | 50th Episode Celebration
with Ars Lyrica staff
Episode 15 | Emotion in Motion
with Catherine Turocy, The New York Baroque Dance Company
Episode 16 | Bastille Day Special Edition
with Yvonamor Palix and Kinga Ferguson
Episode 13 | Science of the Oboe
with Kathleen Staten
Episode 12 | Handel in Love
with Joanna Latini, soprano
Episode 9 | Temperament and Tunes
with Matthew Dirst
Episode 6 | Cecilia Duarte and Jesús Pacheco
Episode 3 | Matthew Dirst Plays Sweelinck
Musical Moments
Musical Moments is the place to be if you want to know more about historical performance. Whether its educational episodes or #newcomer interviews, this is your series if you want to know more about Ars Lyrica!
Click on a previously aired episode below to watch:
Saturday, August 1: The Future of the Arts | Young Professionals Round Table
Monday, May 11: Mother’s Day Edition | Kinga Ferguson, Executive Director and mom
Monday, April 13: Ars Lyrica Vocalists | Stardom Starts Here
Monday, April 6: Tour de France | French Baroque Music and Dance
Monday, March 30: Tour of Spain | Music from the Spanish Baroque
Monday, March 23: Biber’s Passacaglia | Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin
Musical Moments: Education
Our educational Musical Moments programs are interactive, engaging lessons that use music as the lens to learn history, language arts, science, movement, and more. Experienced teaching artists amplify the emotional content of Baroque music to enhance social-emotional learning and encourage viewers to think critically and engage with the material in innovative ways. Our Education Suite programs will always be free of charge; just RSVP to receive access to the segments by visiting the ALH Education Suite!
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