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00000175-40b0-dc5e-a1ff-d6b7711c0000Classical 91.5's annual celebration of local performing groups kicks off on April 1st with a new performance every day. While the novel coronavirus has resulted in the cancellation of concerts and seasons, we'll bring some of the area's best live musical moments to you. This year's performances have been curated from a number of ensembles, including: Cordancia, Geneva Music Festival, Hochstein Alumni Orchestra, Madrigalia, Canandaigua LakeMusic Festival (now ChamberFest Canandaigua), Rochester Oratorio Society, Pegasus Early Music, Publick Musick, Society for Chamber Music Rochester, and VOICES . Visit the page to learn more and preview some of the musical selections.Link to Performance Rochester 2017Link to Performance Rochester 2018Link to Performance Rochester 2019Performance Rochester 2020Wed 4/1 @ 8:00a Hochstein Alumni Orchestra performs Herold's Zampa OvertureThu 4/2 @ 12:00p Society for Chamber Music in Rochester performs Paul Wiancko's Toy BricksFri 4/3 @ 3:00p Pegasus Early Music perform's Vivaldi's MagnificatMon 4/6 @ 9:00a Cellist Mimi Hwang & pianist David Temperley play Temperley's Cello Sonata No. 2Tue 4/7 @ 2:00p Geneva Music Festival performs Brahms' String Sextet No. 2 in G Major, op. 36Wed 4/8 @ 5:05p Cordancia performs Lumbye's Champagne GalopThu 4/9 @ 7:05a Canandaigua LakeMusic Festival plays the Presto from Handel's Concerto Grosso, op 6/5Fri 4/10 @ 8:00p VOICES presents Bach's St. John PassionSat 4/11 @ 4:00p Society for Chamber Music in Rochester plays Bolling's Suite for Violin and Jazz Piano TrioMon 4/13 @ 6:00a Pegasus Early Music plays Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre's Trio Sonata No. 2 in B-flat MajorMon 4/13 @ 1:00p The Rochester Oratorio Society performs John Rutter's MagnificatTue 4/14 @ 8:00a The Publick Music performs Nicola Fiorenza's Recorder ConcertoWed 4/15 @ 6:00p Madrigalia sings a suite of songsThu 4/16 @ 12:00p The Antara Winds play John Cheetham's Quintet for WoodwindsFri 4/17 @ 9:00a Cordancia performs Estampes by MartinuSat 4/18 @ 5:00p Pegasus Early Music performs a Suite in D Major by Marin MaraisMon 4/20 @ 9:00a The Hochstein Alumni Orchestra with cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins play the first movement of Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 2 in G MajorMon 4/20 @ 3:00p Society for Chamber Music in Rochester plays Beethoven's Septet in E-Flat MajorTue 4/21 @ 2:00p VOICES performs Handel's Dixit DominusWed 4/22 @ 7:00a The Publick Musick plays Corelli's Sonata in B-Flat Major, op 1/5 Thu 4/23 @ 12:00p Madrigalia sings a suite of Shakespeare songsFri 4/24 @ 4:00p Canandaigua LakeMusic Festival plays the 4th movement of Schubert's Piano Quintet in A major, "The Trout"Sat 4/25 @ 4:00p Cordancia performs Krasa's Brundibar SuiteMon 4/27 @ 9:00a Amy Beach's Piano Quintet in f-sharp minor, played at the Geneva Music FestivalTue 4/28 @ 3:00p Pegasus Early Music, under the direction of Paul O'Dette, performs Charpentier's Messe di MinuitWed 4/29 @ 1:00p Society for Chamber Music in Rochester plays Lili Boulanger's Nocturne et CortegeWed 4/29 @ 5:00p Violist Rudolf Haken and pianist David Temperley play Temperley’s Sonata for Viola and PianoThu 4/30 @ 8:00a The Rochester Oratorio Society Orchestra performs Corelli’s Concerto Grosso No. 1 in D Major, op. 6

Fri 4/26, 3:00p Madrigalia presents a suite of songs from their Earthkeeping concert (May 2018)

Madrigalia makes on a second appearance on Performance Rochester with selections from Earthkeeping, concerts performed in May, 2018. The program celebrated the beauty of our natural world, beginning with a poem by Adrienne Rich:

My heart is moved by all I cannot save.
So much has been destroyed.
I cast my lot with those who, age after age,
Perversely, with no extraordinary power,
Reconstitute the world.

This suite of songs begins with David Dickau's "Voices of the Earth," followed by "Spell to Bring Lost Creatures Home" by Rochesterian Dick Swain (arranged by Madrigalia Music Director Cary Ratcliff),  and finished with Eric Whitacre's evocative "Cloudburst," which also closed the program. Kevin Nitsch is the pianist.

Madrigalia is well known to Classical 91.5 listeners. They've appeared on Backstage Pass, and the group's "A Cup of Good Cheer" has been a tradition for years on Live from Hochstein. In fact, Madrigalia has been serenading Rochester (and beyond) for over four decades, with no sign of slowing down.

Madrigalia is composed of 18 highly skilled vocalists from the Rochester area. Known for its beauty of sound and artistic excellence, the ensemble presents unique and challenging programs of choral music built around intriguing themes. Their music draws from all times and places, spanning the riches of classic choral styles, the vast range of compelling music being written in our time, and the intriguing musical expressions of cultures throughout the world.

Listen to Eric Whitacre's Little Birds.

A Strong Memorial baby and Greece Arcadia grad, Julia Figueras was the Music Director and mid-day host for WXXI Classical until June 30, 2023 when she retired after more than 26 years of service. She also hosted the award-winning monthly interview/performance show, Backstage Pass.