Mon 12/11
During the pandemic, Cleveland’s nimble baroque chamber ensemble Les Delices created an online series called SalonEra, which combined live and archived performances with commentary by performers and music historians, giving background on the selections. The programs proved popular and they’re continuing. But with the pandemic in the rearview mirror, Les Delices hosted its first SalonEra Live Session a the Heights Theatre in Cleveland Heights in September. They promised that the event would be recorded, edited and released as a SalonEra episode later in the season.
“Later” is now. That program debuts on Monday December 11 when it will be available Les Délices YouTube Channel, at salonera.org, and on all major podcast platforms. Each episode is free with a suggested donation of $15/episode. It will be available through June 30, 2024.
The debut session is called “Songs for Social Justice,” and it explores the stories told by Renaissance lute songs by William Byrd and John Dowland, African-American spirituals and classic Lebanese melodies. On it, countertenor Michael Walker and tenor Haitham Haidar talk about the themes of identity and community they embrace, while oboist/host Debra Nagy (founder of Les Delices), viola de gamba player Rebecca Landell Reed and lute/oud player Brian Kay provide the musical backdrops.