Member Since: 06/02/2007
Band Members: Christopher Morrongiello
The group’s director, is a graduate of the Mannes College of Music, the Royal College of Music, and Oxford University, where he recently earned a Ph.D. in Music. In 1996 the Marco Fodella Foundation awarded him a scholarship for studies in Milan, and in 2006 the Lute Society of America conferred upon him its first Patrick O'Brien LSA Seminar Lectureship. Christopher records and performs with the Venere Lute Quartet and the soprano Emily Van Evera. His recording with Ms. Van Evera, My Lady Rich (Avie Records 0045), has been described by Richard Mackenzie of Renaissance Magazine as “a presentation of unusual quality and beauty.†Christopher teaches lute and related historical plucked fretted instruments in Long Island, New York.
Matthew Weinman
Earned his B.Mus. in historical performance from the Mannes College of Music and his M.A. in musicology and music education from Columbia University. He has performed both as a soloist and a continuo player for 15 years. Mr. Weinman is an expert in the theories and techniques of historical musical composition as well as the history of Renaissance ballads and tunes.
He is currently writing The Renaissance Fake Book and The Euphonious Lute , a 16th century performance practice book and collection of original compositions for Renaissance Lute solo, duets, trios, and consort music.
Diann Flanagan
Diann's interest in the lute and Renaissance music follows twenty years of classical guitar study. Diann has extensive knowledge of sixteenth-century lute manuscripts and prints and is currently editing the complete works of Giovanni Pacoloni. She is also editing a number of important lute manuscripts copied out by Renaissance women as well as studying the cultural and social significance of the lute in their lives.
Doc Rossi
Doc has performed as a soloist and with various early music groups across North America and Europe. One of only a handful of players who specialize in the 18th-century cittern, he is involved in recording projects and performances dedicated to 18th-century composers for plucked string instruments. Also a scholar, Dr. Rossi has published The Compleat Cittern, a method for 18th-century cittern, and a modern edition of Thomas Robinson’s New Citharen Lessons (1609), plus articles dealing with guitar and cittern history, and with Shakespeare, Brecht, and the Beat Generation. Doc performs and records with J.A.DE Cie Henri Agnel.
The New York Historical Dance Company
An elite dance group devoted to the study, recreation and performance of dances from the fifteenth through the early twentieth centuries. Costumed in period clothing, the company performs social and theatrical dances from Europe and America.
Dorothy Olsson
The New York Historical Dance Company director, has had training in both music and dance; she received her Masters of Music of Musicology from Manhattan School of Music and her Ph.D. in Performance Studies at New York University, with a dissertation on early 20th-century dance. She has presented numerous workshops, choreographies and performances of historical dance, and written books and articles about historical dance. Dr. Olsson was an Assistant Professor of Dance Education at New York University for ten years.
Kaspar D. Mainz
Artistic director, has appeared in more than 250 theatrical performances in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. He is the Artistic Director of Deliciae Theatrales, a group that specializes in theater, dance and music performances for children. He has taught at Salzburg University, University of Leipzig, Salzburg Mozarteum, andUniversity of Graz. Mr. Mainz has offered workshops in historical dance in Europe and the United States.
Record Label: Unsigned