Maestro Robert W. Butts and The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey introduce "Diversity of Beauty Project" at Madison Community Arts Center

 

Newsletter Date: September 1, 2024       Maestro Robert W. Butts and The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey introduce  Diversity of Beauty Project at Madison Community Arts Center   The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey performs music from the 17th through the 21st centuries. Along with the familiar favorites, we are introducing wonderful music by composers of various backgrounds whose music is being rediscovered. At our Summer Festival Concert, August 18, 2024 at The Madison Community Arts Center, the orchestra played a symphony by Franz Joseph Haydn, a march by John Philip Sousa, a short work by Petr Ilych Tchaikovsky, and an aria by Giacomo Puccini. Along with these standard works, the concert also featured works by less familiar composers. Maria Teresa Agnesi was a successful composer in Milan during the 18th century. Maria Gaetana Agnesi, her sister, was an acclaimed mathematician of the era. Maria Teresa's Overture to Ulisse is an exciting work that opened her opera Ulisse in Campania. Click here to listen to our performance of Maria Teresa Agnesi's overture. Salomone Rossi was one of the most successful composers of early Baroque Venice. He was one of the few composers to compose music for both Jewish and Catholic services. Click here to listen to our performance of Salomone Rossi's Sonata Quarta.  James Reese Europe was a major figure in early 20th century American music. He created the Clef Club for African American musicians in Harlem. He worked with legendary dancers Vernon and Irene Castle. He was an early leader in popular recordings. Click here to listen to our performance of James Reese Europe's Clef Club March.     BONJ Season Opening Concert—A Special Collaboration   Sunday, November 17, 3:00 PM The Bickford Theater, The Morris Museum 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, New Jersey   The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey is excited to announce that our opening concert will feature our first collaboration with The Morris Museum with a special concert and reception.  The first half of the concert will celebrate the music of Giacomo Puccini, one of the world's most beloved opera composers. 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the great composer's passing as well as the premiere of Turandot, his final operatic masterpiece.  Sopranos Theresa Carlomagno and Timothy Maureen Cole and bass Jason Adamo will sing several of Puccini's greatest arias.  The concert will be followed by a special VIP reception and Guinness Gallery visit.  Tickets are sold for concert only or combination concert and reception.  A special part of the program will be the exhibit of the music box from which Puccini learned melodies he incorporated into Madama Butterfly and Turandot.  The second half of the concert will feature the orchestra performing the romantic Symphony #2 by Johannes Brahms.  Tickets for this special event will be sold through the Morris Museum ticket office.  Click here for further information and to order your tickets.