Friday, October 28, 2022, 7:30 pm
Knox Metropolitan Church
Infusion Baroque draws new audiences to early music through a truly captivating concert experience, deftly combining seasoned musicianship with theatrical elements. Playing music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries on historical instruments, the four women of Infusion Baroque enthrall audiences across North America with their creative and interactive programming. Infusion Baroque’s performances have been described as “dynamic and alive” (Early Music America) with “polish, energy, and finely-honed style… merrily breaking established traditions” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Winners of the Grand Prize and Audience Prize at the 2014 Early Music America Baroque Performance Competition, the ensemble charms audiences with its dynamic programs such as “Who Killed Leclair?” (an interactive murder mystery soirée based on the unsolved murder of the famous musician); “Rebels and Rivalries” (featuring scandalous stories from the lives of great composers); and “Son of a Bach!” (narrating the multigenerational saga of the famous musical family). Infusion Baroque has released two recordings with the Canadian label Leaf Music to critical acclaim. The ensemble’s latest album, a world-premiere recording of quintets by Georg Anton Kreüsser, was nominated for an Opus Prize by the Conseil Québecois de la musique. According to Fanfare, “the playing of these musicians … is superb. They play with a liveliness and unforced energy that seems to grow naturally out of the music… combining spontaneity and abandon with technical perfection.” The ensemble’s debut recording of trio sonatas by C.P.E. Bach was described as “real baroque … gripping and full of character” (Radio-Canada). Since 2017, Infusion Baroque has been exploring the lives of historical women performers through The Virtuosa Project. Fascinated by the great number of women who made their mark as musical performers despite considerable barriers and stigma, Infusion Baroque devoted an entire concert season in 2018-19 to exploring their lives and music. The ensemble also produced a web series which tells the story of four female musicians of the past, and is looking forward to producing a CD recording and documentary on this exciting topic to be released in 2021. Infusion Baroque has appeared with major early music presenters across North America including the San Francisco Early Music Society, Early Music Now (Milwaukee), Columbus Early Music, Houston Early Music, and Indianapolis Early Music. In addition to its annual Montreal season, Infusion Baroque performs regularly in the greater Montreal area and has appeared in the Montreal Baroque Festival, Concerts Lachine, and with the Montreal Arts Council on Tour. |
ALEXA RAINE-WRIGHT Baroque flute and recorder
Equally at ease on the recorder and the baroque flute, Alexa Raine-Wright has shared her passion and talent for early music with audiences across the United States and Canada with ensembles such as Flûte Alors!, Ensemble Caprice, Arion Baroque Orchestra, Apollo’s Fire, I Musici, Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Alexa was awarded the Grand Prize and Orchestra Prize at the 2016 Indianapolis International Baroque Competition, as well as First Prize at the National Flute Association’s 2015 Baroque Flute Artist Competition in Washington DC. She is a graduate of McGill University.
SALLYNEE AMAWAT Baroque violin
A native of Chicago, violinist Sallynee Amawat enjoys performing with North American period ensembles such as the American Baroque Orchestra, Arion Baroque Orchestra, Pacific Baroque Orchestra, and Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal. While living in Thailand, she performed regularly with ensembles such as the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, with tours in Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore. She holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance from the Hartt School, and a Master of Music and Doctor of Music in Early Music Performance from McGill University, where her research was focused on repertoire of the early French violin school.
ANDREA STEWART Baroque cello
Cellist Andrea Stewart has been heard in venues across North America, Europe, and Asia performing solo recitals and collaborating with ensembles including Infusion Baroque, collectif9, Grammy-nominated Uccello, Gruppo Montebello, and Ensemble Caprice. A laureate of the Golden Violin Competition (McGill University), the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, and the Prix d’Europe Competition, Andrea holds the degrees of Doctor of Music (2015) and Master of Music (2009) from McGill University. Her research has been supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council in Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.
RONA NADLER Harpsichord
Known as a sensitive and stylish continuo player, harpsichordist Rona Nadler has performed with some of the most prestigious ensembles in the Montreal area including Ensemble Caprice, I Musici, the McGill Chamber Orchestra, and Les Voix Baroques. She has worked as a vocal coach and music director for Compagnie Baroque Mont-Royal, Opera da Camera, and Opera McGill, and is artistic director of the vocal ensemble One Equall Musick. Rona studied harpsichord at McGill University with Hank Knox and at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis with Jesper Christensen. She serves as Music Director and Cantorial Soloist at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Shalom.