La Montagna Barocca
An Afternoon of Early Music in the Mountains
Saturday, May 25, 2025 · 2:00 PM
Jasper Baptist Church · 300 Pyramid Lake Road, Jasper, AB
Admission by donation
Proceeds support the Community Caring Fund (Jasper Community Team Society) JCTS
Join us for La Montagna Barocca, a magical afternoon of early music in the heart of the Rockies.
Performed by three of Alberta’s top early music specialists – Jolaine Kerley (soprano), Josephine van Lier (violoncello piccolo & viola da gamba), and Leanne Regehr (harpsichord), this concert features music from 16th- and 17th-century England and Italy.
The program moves from the beautiful songs of John Dowland and his contemporaries to Purcell and lively English country dances of John Playford to expressive baroque Italian arias and an elegant sonata by Luigi Boccherini, performed on the rarely heard 5-string violoncello piccolo.
A unique musical experience in a breathtaking setting, and all for a great cause!
All donations from this concert go directly to support the Jasper Community Team Society’s Community Caring Fund, which provides vital assistance to those in need in the Jasper area.
Come for the music. Stay for the mountains. Give for the community.
PAST EVENTS
2024-2025 EARLY MUSIC ALBERTA SEASON
First Presbyterian Church, 10025 105 Street, Edmonton
Friday, May 9, 2025 – 7:30 PM
First Presbyterian Church, 10025 105 St NW, Edmonton (map)
Free parking at the church’s parking lot.
Tickets are available below and at the door (cash and credit accepted). You can attend in-person or via our high quality livestream.
With Peace and Joy
Music for soprano, bass, and viola da gamba consort
Join Early Music Alberta for an unforgettable evening of Renaissance and Baroque music in With Peace and Joy—a program devoted to the rich, rarely heard world of sacred vocal music and secular viol consort repertoire. This is a unique chance to experience a sound that was once at the heart of European music-making, yet is almost never heard live in Edmonton today.
This concert brings together five of Canada’s finest early music specialists in a deeply moving program of sacred vocal works and intricate viola da gamba fantasias.
The performers are a dream ensemble of Canadian early music specialists:
Jolaine Kerley (Edmonton), soprano
Roderick Bryce(Edmonton), bass
Josephine van Lier (Edmonton), treble, tenor and bass viola da gamba
Sarah Poon, treble (Vancouver), tenor and bass viola da gamba
Elinor Frey (Toronto), tenor and bass viola da gamba
Program highlights include:
- Fantasias for 3 viols by Tomkins, Coprario, Purcell, and Lupo, showcasing the intricate interplay and intimacy of the viola da gamba consort.
- Hans Leo Hassler’s beautiful Motet Ecce Quam Bonum and his full five-voice Missa V super Ecce Quam Bonum (1599), with three vocal lines performed on viols for a radiant blend of voices and instruments.
- Buxtehude’s emotionally powerful Mit Fried und Freud – Klaglied, written in memory of his father.
- The elegant and rarely performed Sonata à Tre Viol da Gamba by Johann Michael Nicolai.
- The reflective and meditative cantata Ich halte es dafür, BuxWV 48 by Buxtehude.
This is an evening of intimacy, depth, and beauty; don’t miss this opportunity to hear music that was once played in royal courts, private homes and sacred chapels, brought to life by some of these wonderful musicians.
Program Booklet
Sunday, March 16 – March 23, 2025 LIVESTREAM
Under the Tuscan Sun
Rossini and Boccherini
Laura Veeze, baroque violin
Keith Hamm, baroque violin / baroque viola
Josephine van Lier, baroque cello / violoncello piccolo
James Mallet, double bass
Join us on a musical journey through the heart of 18th and 19th century Italy, where every note evokes the warmth, passion, and beauty of the Tuscan landscape. This concert celebrates the exuberance and melodic charm of two of Italy’s most beloved composers: Gioachino Rossini and Luigi Boccherini.
The program will feature a collection of works that showcase the wit, grace, and lyricism characteristic of Italian music from this period. The ensemble of violins, cello, and double bass will bring to life the intricate interplay and spirited rhythms that make Rossini and Boccherini’s music so enduringly popular. This performance is designed to transport the audience to a place where music and landscape are in perfect harmony, offering a vivid experience of Italy’s rich cultural heritage.
Program Booklet
Saturday, Feb 1, 2025 – 7:30 PM
Il Barcheggio
a celebration of music for Trumpet, Soprano and Strings
Hannah Pagenkopf, soprano (Calgary)
Frederic Payant, baroque trumpet
Alison Zdunich, baroque violin
Gabriele Thielmann-Vriend, baroque violin
Josephine van Lier, baroque cello
Leanne Regehr, harpsichord
This program highlights the luminous sound of the trumpet, the crystalline purity of the soprano voice, and the rich textures of a string ensemble. This concert presents a selection of masterpieces that blend these elements into a harmonious celebration of musical brilliance.
The trumpet, with its bold and radiant tones, will soar through compositions by Stradella, Vivanni, Scarlatti, Handel, and Bach, paired beautifully with the expressive range of the soprano voice. The strings provide a lush foundation, enhancing the emotional depth and grandeur of the music. The combination of these instruments, performed by an exceptional ensemble, promises an evening of profound beauty and dynamic contrasts, capturing the essence of the Baroque era.
LIVESTREAM TICKET AVAILABLE
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We are thrilled to announce an impromptu concert outside our regular series! This is a unique opportunity to enjoy a delightful performance in an intimate setting.
Event Details
When: Sunday, December 22, 2024, 3:00 PM
Where: Home of the Artistic Director (address provided upon registration)
Seating is limited – Admission by pre-registration only.
Admission: By donation at the door
We are excited to present tenor and lutenist Kerry Bursey and soprano Janelle Lucyk, the musicians behind Ménestrel, for this special house concert. Many of you will remember Kerry’s memorable performances during our 2023 Early Music Festival, and we are delighted to present him and Janelle for an intimate afternoon of music.
Secure Your Spot Today!
Due to the intimate nature of this event, spaces are limited. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy this unique concert experience.
