I. Amorous Songs from Elizabethan Age

Saturday, February 15, UCSC Concert Hall. 

Celebrate the magical flowering of the Renaissance arts that brought the world Shakespeare and a host of immortal composers, inspired by the 'virgin Queen' Elizabeth the Great .Co-presented with UCSC Arts & Lectures and UCSC Department of Music. 

Julianne Baird, soprano, Linda Burman-Hall, harpsichord and virginals, Robert Strizich, lute. 

 II. Music of Mary, Queen of Scots

Saturday, March 15, Holy Cross Church. 

Shut away in a castle-prison in a dispute over religion, inspiring loyalty and enmity in equal parts, Mary remains a haunting and tragic figure. Is it any wonder her musical servitors, able to come and go as she was not, were thought to be spies? Music by William Kinloch and traditional Scottish works from this period. 

Chris Norman and Lars Johannesson, flutes, Deby Benton Grosjean, Scottish traditional fiddle, Maria Ezerova, solo harpsichord and virginals, Linda Burman-Hall, keyboard continuo, Roy Whelden, viol continuo.

III. Lady Luck: Music by Dice and Design

Saturday, April 5, UCSC Concert Hall. 

A survey of Musikalische Würfelspiel, 'aleatoric' Music in the 18th Century, with unique premieres of charming 'dice-music' by Mozart, C.P.E. Bach, Haydn and numerous other masters, created by members of the audience. World premieres of piano concerto and symphony movements 'composed' by David Cope's EMI computer in the style of Mozart. Cosponsored by UCSC Department of Music's "April in Santa Cruz" new music festival. Funding from Performace Practice & Context in the Arts Research Group. Pre-concert talk: David Cope. 

Linda Burman-Hall, fortepiano with Classical Orchestra, Carla Moore violin soloist/concertmaster. Lars Johannesson and Leta Miller, flutes, Amy Brodo, cello. 

IV. Hildegard of Bingen: In Praise of Virgins

Saturday, April 26, Holy Cross Church. 

‘Feminine’ chants and ecstatic songs by the great 12th century mystic and visionary. Sequences, antiphons and responsoria praising the Virgin Mary as well St. Ursula and the 11,000 Virgins martyred by Attila the Hun. 

Vocal soloists Mary Rawcliffe, Karen Clark and Leon Wann, with Festival instrumentalists and local voices directed by Linda Burman-Hall. 

V. Imperial Russia: Music of Catherine the Great

Saturday, May 10, Holy Cross Church. 

Experience the splendor and opulence of music in Imperial Russia, where Catherine the Great (reg. 1762-96) collected composers and virtuosi as avidly as art. Enjoy the California premiere of Dmitry Bortniansky's Sinfonia Concertante, 'Russia's first symphony', and chamber music by Galuppi and other Italian composers of Catherine's court. Pre-concert talk: Anatole Leikin. 

Slavyanka Russian Choir, directed by A. Shipovalnikov, Linda Burman-Hall, fortepiano and harpsichord, Michael Sand and Rachael Hurwitz, Baroque violins, Amy Brodo, Baroque cello, John Dornenburg, Viola da gamba, Daniel Deitch, Baroque bassoon, harp