Upcoming Performances
Early Spring
Revolutionary Renaissance
Sat., March 1, 2025 at 4 pm Trinity Church, Lakeville, CT
Sun., March 2, 2025 at 4 pm Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA
This program features motets by the Portuguese composer Vicente Lusitano, one of the earliest known mixed-race composers of African descent, whose works were published in his lifetime. Lusitano’s style resembles Josquin des Prez’, and is highly complex and of extrordinary beauty.
We still know very little about female composers of those times, as it was stigmatised for women to perform in public, or be known as composers. We present sacred and secular vocal and instrumental works by Maddalena Casulana (Madrigali 1570), Raffaella Aleotti (Sacrae cantiones, Venice 1593), Claudia Sessa (Canti sacri), and Claudia Francesca Rusca (Sacri Concerti), an Italian nun composer, singer, and organist.
Crescendo Vocal Ensemble is joined by Rachel Begley, dulcian and recorder, and is led by Christine Gevert from the organ
Support for these concerts has been provided by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature, and NBT Bank. We also thank WMNR Radio for their ongoing support.
Crescendo At Home
Virtual Concerts On-Demand NOW
Latest recordings:
Recorded: October 6, 2024
Nature in Vivaldi’s Sounds: Concertos for Violin, Flute, and Two Mandolins
Recorded: September 14, 2024
Hommage à Wanda Landowska – Kenneth Weiss
Recorded: March 24, 2024
Carissimi – Jephte and Missa L’Homme armé
Now you can watch Crescendo’s concerts at home at any time with our virtual concert portal – Crescendo at Home!
We want to keep choral and baroque music experiences alive not only during the pandemic, but also for your pleasure, comfort and for anyone who is not able to attend concerts in person.
Recorded in high quality audio by former Carnegie Hall engineer Leszek Wojcik, and filmed in high definition by Charlette Media Productions, we offer you an experience that is similar to being there in person. It even brings you closer to the performers than you ever would in a live concert.
Watch, and share with your family and friends! Subscribe to our e-Newsletter for news on upcoming Crescendo at Home programming.
SINGERS based in the Berkshires are invited to join Crescendo’s Ensembles: Crescendo Chorus, Crescendo Vocal Ensemble, Crescendo Young Artists Program. We have openings for both amateur and paid professional positions in all voice groups. A limited number of scholarships are available. We regularly perform in Lakeville, CT and Great Barrington, MA. Learn more, and schedule and audition by writing to: crescendo@crescendomusic.org
These concerts have been made possible in part with support from CT Humanities (CTH), with funding provided by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature.
