Tue 5/7 @ 7PM
Wed 5/8 @ 7PM
Sat 5/11 @ 2PM
Mon 5/13
Cleveland early music ensemble Les Délices is small but creative, always coming up with new ways to present old music.
Now it’s taking its act out into the community to present a series of programs around the music of British-African composer Charles Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780), whom they describe as “an abolitionist, musician, writer, and the first British man of African descent to vote in a general election.” His surviving music includes a book of songs, minuets and country dances.
The programs they’re presenting at two area libraries and Loganberry Books explore both his music and the culture he arose from. And all are free to encourage inclusivity.
On Tuesday May 7 at the Rocky River Library and Sat May 11 at the downtown branch of the Cleveland Public Library, they’ll perform music written by Sancho and his contemporaries. Soprano Andréa Walker will join Les Délices’ baroque oboe, violin, cello and harpsichord as they perform parlor songs inspired by Shakespeare, Scottish reels and country dances, popular tunes of the era by Thomas Arne, and selections from George Frederic Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks.
On Wednesday May 8 at Loganberry Books on Larchmere, the program includes both performance by the ensemble and a panel discussion looking at Sancho’s times and legacy. Cleveland State University faculty members Drs. Rachel Carnell and Adrienne Gosselin, both experts in 19th century culture, will talk about how Sancho fit into that culture. In addition members of Cleveland’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra will perform a modern piece, Jonathan Woody’s Suite for Strings, which is inspired by themes from Sancho’s work.
In addition, on May 13, Les Délices will debut an episode of its online SalonEra series, focused on Sancho’s music and his era. It will be available on all streaming platforms.
Rocky River, OH 44116
Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Cleveland, OH 44114