Ayres & Graces baroque ensemble presents Echoes of Italy

Ayres and Graces are an ensemble focusing on the performance and communication of historical music from before the 19th century. Their name is the combination of two essential elements of our repertoire: 1) Ayres – a corruption of airs or arias, the beautiful florid singing tradition originating from Italian opera, and 2) Graces – a word used to describe the delicate musical ornamentation of the era, both written and unwritten. Led by harpsichordist Cole Hankins and soprano Maria Margiolakou, Ayres and Graces seeks to reintroduce forgotten gems and reimagine cornerstones of early music.

This program, Echoes of Italy, explores the profound influence of Italian opera on the musical scene of continental Europe. Splashy Italian opera excerpts from Alessandro Scarlatti and Antonio Vivaldi give us a glimpse of the new sounds that were sweeping up audiences of the era. This influence was felt in other nations, even in the strongly contrasting music of French salons – as evidenced by the cantatille Le Printems (The Spring) by Julie Pinel. Italian music also played a large part in inspiring the monumental work of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach is best known for combining many national styles with the German Lutheran cantata tradition, creating works of impressive construction, deep religious faith, and sublime musical beauty. The solo cantata “Ich habe genug” (“I have enough”), in its version for soprano presents a mystical, contemplative picture of gratefulness and acceptance of life’s beginnings and ends.