CHIAROSCURO: Finding Light in Darkness

Occurring at the darkest time of the year, this program is a meditation on the transformative power of light through music. Chiaroscuro is a study in contrasts, a painting technique that uses light to define an object when balanced against shadow. Occurring at the darkest time of the year, this program is a meditation on the transformative power of light through brilliant music by 17th-century female composers across Italy, including Barbara Strozzi, Vittoria Aleotti, Claudia Francesca Rusca, Caterina Assandra, Claudia Sessa, and Francesca Caccini. Projected paintings highlighting contemporary women artists, including Orsola Maddalena Caccia, Fede Galizia, and Elisabetta Sirani, interweave themes of transcendence, faith, and beauty among longing, sorrow, and mortality. With soprano Elisse Albian, violinist Rebecca Scout Nelson, and lutenist Daniel Swenberg. Musicians: Elisse Albian, soprano Natalie Rose Kress and Rebecca Scout Nelson, violins Sarah Stone, cello Stephanie Corwin, bassoon Gabe Shuford, harpsichord Daniel Swenberg, lute