Renaissance & Baroque is thrilled to present The Ars Longa Ancient Music Ensemble on February 24, 2018 at Synod Hall in Oakland.

Ars Longa was the first group in Cuba to commit to a historically informed approach to the performance of “ancient music” according to the Havana Times. Now, it is the “Conjunto de Música Antigua más prestigioso en Cuba” (most prestigious early music ensemble in Cuba) according to Havana Music and has won seven Cubadisco awards, the highest award in Cuban discography.

Five singers and seven instrumentalists comprise the ensemble for the program, Baroque Music of Cuba and the New World. This program is centered on villancicos (carols) of celebrated eighteenth century Cuban maestro de capilla Esteban Salas alongside baroque works from Bolivia.

On Saturday, February 24, there will be a pre-concert talk at 7:00 PM given by Sebastian Zubieta, Music Director at Americas Society in New York City, followed by the concert at 8:00 PM. Tickets ranging in price from $20 to $35 can be purchased by visiting rbsp.org. Discounts are available for students, seniors, and patrons under 35 years of age. Partial subscriptions are currently available.

ARS LONGA DE LA HABANA

Ars Longa was described by Journal Sentinel as “a chamber ensemble, folk singers and big band rolled into one.” The ensemble is known for its fresh, animated, perpetual-motion performances that will have you tapping your foot, laughing, and dancing with the performers.

The group was created by Teresa Paz and Aland López in 1994 and has been part of the Historical Office of the City of Havana since 1995. The group has dedicated its work to the interpretation, study, and research of various eras and styles of music from the Middle Ages to the Baroque. The music of the viceroyalty period in the Americas—approximately the 15th century—occupies an especially important place within Ars Longa's repertoire as the oldest Cuban musical style.

Since its inception, Ars Longa has performed regularly in some of Cuba's most prestigious concert halls, as well as many prominent national and international festivals and events in Spain, Italy, France, Sweden, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Venezuela, Mexico, and Ecuador. Ars Longa has interpreted and recorded historical versions of the music of Esteban Salas (Cuba, 1725-1803), maestro de capilla of the Chapel of Santiago de Cuba from 1764 to 1803. As an active promoter of the interpretation of ancient music in Cuba, Ars Longa is the host group of the Esteban Salas Early Music Festival, which is held every year in Havana.

The ensemble has been the recipient of many prizes and praises from music critics in Cuba and such places as France, and publications such as the Times and Scherzo Magazine. They are also a seven-time recipient of the Cubadisco award, the highest award in Cuban discography.

Renaissance & Baroque presents: The Ars Longa Ancient Music Ensemble

Teresa Paz - soprano, director
Adalis Santiesteban - mezzo soprano
Yunié Gainza - countertenor
Rubiel Martin - tenor
Ahmed Gómez - baritone
Beatriz López - violin
Yosmara Castañeda - violin
Yulmara Vega - chirimías
Aland López - guitars
Rodrigo López – oboe
Elis Ramos - violone
Anayza Nuñez - harp

Program: Baroque Music of Cuba and the New World

This concert is part of GEMAS, a project of Americas Society and Gotham Early Music Scene devoted to early music of the Americas, and is co-produced with Music at St. Paul's, the sacred music program of the Office of the University Chaplain at Columbia University.

More information and tickets available online at www.rbsp.org

February 24, 2018, 8:00 PM / 7:00 PM Pre-concert talk

Synod Hall
125 North Craig Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Cuba's Ars Longa. Photo © & courtesy of Unknown