Purcell, In Guilty Night - Ars Lyrica Houston with Nola Richardson, Jay Carter, and Enrico Lagasca

Ars Lyrica Houston performs Henry Purcell's "In Guilty Night" at the 2023/24 season opener, Fallen Angels
Friday, September 22, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Zilkha Hall, The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Purchase a digital replay pass to the whole concert at our website: www.arslyricah...
Featuring:
Nola Richardson, soprano
Jay Carter, countertenor
Enrico Lagasca, baritone ˚
˚ Ars Lyrica debut
Cello - Barrett Sills
Violone - Deborah Dunham
Theorbo - Richard Savino
Harpsichord, organ, conductor - Matthew Dirst
Surtitles - Jenna Wallis
Video and audio by BEND Productions, LLC
www.arslyricah...
Program notes by Matthew Dirst
Standing somewhat outside traditional genres, "In Guilty Night" is a musical horror story adapted from the Book of Samuel. Mighty Saul, having led the Israelites to victory multiple times, faces significant challenges in old age. As a decisive battle with the Philistines draws near, he entreats his dead predecessor Samuel through a medium. But for poor Saul the fabled Witch of Endor and the ghost of Samuel offer only gloom and doom.
About Ars Lyrica Houston
Founded in 1998 by harpsichordist and conductor Matthew Dirst, Ars Lyrica Houston presents a diverse array of music in its original context while creating connections to contemporary life. Imaginative programming features neglected gems alongside familiar masterworks, and extracts the dramatic potential, emotional resonance, and expressive power of music. Its local subscription series, according to the Houston Chronicle, “sets the agenda” for early music in Houston. Ars Lyrica appears regularly at international festivals and conferences because of its distinctive focus, and its pioneering efforts in the field of authentic performance have won international acclaim.
In its 2023/24 season, Ars Lyrica Houston celebrates 20 Years of Magic with a season dedicated to musical wizardry of various kinds, from wondrous choral works by Carissimi and Charpentier to miraculous chamber pieces by Biber and Bach. The milestone 20th anniversary season closes with a new production of a “magic” opera, Handel’s Amadigi di Gaula, in its Houston premiere.