French chamber music? In the first half of the 19th century, that was practically an oxymoron. French audiences, especially in Paris, were interested in one thing, musically speaking, and that was music for the stage – namely, opera and ballet. In fact, opera even had to have ballet in it… [Read More]

Mel Bonis (1858-1937) led a double and, most of the time, a troubled life. Much of this was brought on by her parents and by the societal limitations women of that era experienced. Mel is the name chosen by Mélanie Bonis to hide her gender as a composer. However, disguising… [Read More]

In my previous column, I mentioned that we would be doing several works by Mozart this season that feature a string trio or quartet plus a contrasting (solo) instrument. Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G Minor is featured on our first program (which is still running), and our second program turns… [Read More]

Spring has come (even to Northern Door County), and Midsummer (the longest day of the year) is ever so close. Even closer is the opening of Midsummer’s Music. The music starts with a grand flourish on Friday, June 12th at Birch Creek. This is an exciting gala event with fabulous… [Read More]