Rose Ensemble Touring Concerts










 

 

 

 



Voices of Ancient Mediterranean Christians, Jews & Muslims

CantigaCenturies of dedication and folklore in the chapels, synagogues and courts of early Italy, Spain and Portugal produced music with rhythms that reverberated across the Mediterranean. In this program spanning four centuries of vocal and instrumental music, a diverse collection of Arab-Andalusian dances, Sephardic laments, Spanish villancicos, Hebrew chants and Galician spiritual cantigas come together in a fascinating exploration of language, culture and faith from a time that is not so different from our own.

"This program wasn’t a performance. It was more like a resurrection. The Rose Ensemble breathes life into stark, ancient manuscripts . . . restores them as new creations."
--Ames Life & Times

Technical information: Works best in venues with live but not overly reverberant acoustics. Smaller halls allow audience members to see the fascinating array of instruments but this performance also works beautifully in spaces that seat several hundred. Some choose to use ambient amplification with this program, but it is not essential. Introductions of various pieces and instruments as well as commentary from the stage is available.

Equipment needed: 4 chairs, 4 music stands, microphone (for narration)

  • Educational outreach activities are available with this program.
  •   Listen to a sample from this concert
      A copy of this program is available in PDF format.
    For more information about rates and available dates, contact us at: bookings@RoseEnsemble.org


    Slavic Wonders - Feasts and Saints in Early Russia, Poland & Bohemia

    Slavic HolidayWe invite you to visit these ancient places and more, where mysterious chants, joyful hymns and magnificent choral works are mingled with tales of folk heroes. Slavic Wonders includes stunning 12-part Baroque motets from the Russian Orthodox tradition, medieval Latin chants for Slavic saints and powerful double-choir works from the Polish Renaissance. With repertoire and a stage presence hailed by presenters and audiences as ethereal and captivating, and a vocal blend and range called "supernatural" by the critics, The Rose Ensemble has presented this program to capacity crowds across the U.S. and Europe.

    "Vibrant, resplendent performances . . . The Rose Ensemble specializes in uncanny blend and rhythmic virtuosity.""
    --Berkshire Eagle

    Technical information: A large, reverberant church is the best venue for Slavic Wonders. Readings from the stage are a part of this program.

    Equipment needed: microphone (for narration)

  • Educational outreach activities are available with this program.
  •   Listen to a sample from this concert
      A copy of this program is available in PDF format.
    For more information about rates and available dates, contact us at: bookings@RoseEnsemble.org


    The Last Queen of Hawai'i: Music from the Soul of the Hawaiian Saga

    Kim Sueoka and Tim O'Brien

    Through music, movement and narration, Hawai'i Revealed honors the Hawaiians' struggle to keep alive the rich musical traditions nearly eradicated by the arrival of Captain Cook and American missionaries. The result of almost three years of historical research, this masterful program includes ancient Hawaiian chant and hula, missionary hymns, gorgeous compositions by Hawaiian monarchs, Victorian art songs and fun-loving cowboy tunes created by migrant workers on Hawaii's horse and cattle ranches. What's more, audience members have the opportunity to learn more about Hawaiian history and culture than they might expect!

    ...a world-renowned vocal group that has spent the dozen years of its existence combining extraordinary scholarship, a sense of adventure, and breathtaking technique to explore a wide range of early music.
    -- Minneapolis City Pages

    Technical information: A theatre-type space with a stage works best for this program as some of the music is performed seated and hula is also featured. However, the raised nature of a church altar area can serve this purpose. Some choose to use ambient amplification with this program, but it is not essential. Readings from the stage are a part of this program.

    Equipment needed: piano, upright bass (bass violin), 3 chairs, 3 music stands, microphone (for narration)

  • Educational outreach activities are available with this program.
  •   Listen to a sample from this concert
      A copy of this program is available in PDF format.
    For more information about rates and available dates, contact us at: bookings@RoseEnsemble.org


    And Glory Shone Around – Early American Hymns, Ballads and Spiritual Songs

    The Rose Ensemble presents some of its most popular music in this joyful program featuring ballads, dances, hymns and anthems. Witness a musical evolution across time as our singers and instrumentalists journey through the dancehalls of Boston, to Shaker villages and the hills of Appalachia, exploring the harmonies that gave birth to bluegrass.

    The vocalists are the soul of the group, with clear, young-sounding voices that seem infinitely flexible and perfectly blended.
    -- Pioneer Press

    Technical information: Usually tours in December as a Christmas program, but our extensive early American repertoire can be easily fashioned as a joyful program suitable for any time of the year. Can also be combined with Hawaiian program. Almost any space can work for this performance. Venues with reverberant acoustics will give greater emphasis to the choral works, while more intimate spaces will highlight the quicker tempi, foot-stomping and various instruments.

    Equipment needed: 4 chairs, 4 music stands

  • Educational outreach activities are available with this program.
  •   Listen to a sample from this concert
      A copy of this program is available in PDF format.
    For more information about rates and available dates, contact us at: bookings@RoseEnsemble.org


    Il Poverello - Exploring the Life and Deeds of St. Francis of Assisi

    St. Francis Guest Artist During his lifetime, Francis pursued a life of simplicity and became known as il poverello, "the poor one." The patron saint of animals and ecology, he is arguably one of the best known medieval saints. But beyond garden statues and the Prayer of St. Francis (which, by the way, he didn't write), how much do we really know? This joyful program features centuries of hymns, dances and motets in honor of the "hippie saint," as well as early Italian spiritual songs and light-hearted readings by and about Francis himself. Includes the full force of 12 voices plus harp, riqq, dumbek, hurdy gurdy, psaltery and recorder. This program features special guest artist Isacco Colombo, joining us all the way from Italy to lend his sensational skills on medieval Italian bagpipes, shawm, fife and tabor.

    Guest Artist Isacco Colombo

    ". . . 'Il Poverello' held the audience's attention from beginning to end through the Rose Ensemble's clever arrangement of materials and the near-perfection of their execution. Beautiful, in-tune and well-balanced singing was matched with astonishing instrumental playing. This show should tour widely and enchant many more audiences just as it did . . . Sunday afternoon."
    ---ClevelandClassical.com

    Technical information: Usually tours in October to coincide with St. Francis' feast day, but available year-round. Almost any space can work for this performance. Venues with reverberant acoustics will give greater emphasis to the Renaissance choral works, while more intimate spaces will highlight the quicker tempi and percussion instruments. Readings from the stage are a part of this program and a microphone is usually needed.

    Equipment needed: 3 chairs, 3 music stands, microphone (for narration)


  • Educational outreach activities are available with this program.
  •   Listen to a sample from this concert
      A copy of this program is available in PDF format.
    For more information about rates and available dates, contact us at: bookings@RoseEnsemble.org

    "Praise from arts presenters:
    "The accolades are still flowing in! Aside from the great programming, your artistic performance was what made the event so wonderful. Thank you for using your talents so well to spread beauty." "It was truly a memorable and special evening for all of those in attendance. Thank you for all of the research, hard work and creativity that you and your colleagues put into the performance--it was very beautiful and powerful."


    Celebremos el Niño - A Mexican Baroque Christmas

    Celebremos el NinoEarly Mexican music resounds in this joyful holiday program featuring over two centuries of festive Christmas dances, ballads and villancicos from the great cathedrals of Puebla and Mexico City. Accompanied by viola da gamba, vihuela da mano and several percussion instruments (including African drums), solos and choruses burst forth in this program that's anything but predictable.

    "Because of the beauty of the music, the variety of the voices, the liveliness of the personalities and the improvisatory support of gentle instruments, the performance was engaging from beginning to end."
    -- Cleveland Plain Dealer

    Technical information: Celebremos el Niño can accommodate nearly any type of venue from small, intimate spaces to large, very reverberant churches.

    Equipment needed: 3 chairs, 3 music stands

  • Educational outreach activities are available with this program.
  •   Listen to a sample from this concert
      A copy of this program is available in PDF format.
    For more information about rates and available dates, contact us at: bookings@RoseEnsemble.org


    Additional Information

    Included in programming and fees:

    Presenters are asked to provide:

    References from past presenters, as well as live concert highlights and reviews, are available upon request.