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Honoring heroic women in Baroque style
Tempesta di Mare presents Women of Antiquity
Tom Purdom
Contemporary superheroes have swelled in popularity, but they have a history that predates our era. This weekend, the Tempesta di Mare Baroque Orchestra will present Baroque music that depicts heroic (and sometimes villainous) women from Greek and Roman mythological legends and real histories.
Contemporary antiquity
The vengeful witch Medea, Jupiter’s outraged wife Juno, and Dido, the tragic queen of Carthage, are examples of legendary heroes that have been portrayed in arias and instrumental works. Singing with those heroes in mind for Tempesta di Mare’s Women of Antiquity is vocal soloist Meg Bragle.
Bragle is a mezzo-soprano who has sung with most of the top Baroque orchestras in Europe and North America. Guest artist Matthew Coley will enhance the Tempesta orchestra with the other-worldly sound of the cimbalom, a modern hammered-string instrument that resembles similar instruments played in the Baroque.
Tempesta di Mare is celebrating its 20th birthday this season. One of its specialties is the revival of Baroque composers who have been overlooked by other Baroque musical organizations. Like most Tempesta programs, this one will spotlight lesser-known composers like the Viennese composer Georg Reutter along with familiar figures like Handel and Henry Purcell.
What, When, Where
Women of Antiquity. Tempesta di Mare. Tickets range from $29-$39; free for students with ID. Performing Friday, October 22 at 7pm at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Avenue; Saturday, October 23 at 2pm at Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 West 4th Street, Lewes, Delaware; and Sunday, October 24 at 4pm at FringeArts, 140 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia. The October 24 performance will be available to stream on-demand from November 20-December 19. (215) 755-8776 or tempestadimare.com.
Proof of vaccination is required. Attendants are required to wear a mask.
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