2008–2009
Legendary Lovers Cantatas and operatic scenes by Clérambault, Handel, Hasse, and Gluck
Rockin' Rococo CPE Bach, Cello Concerto No. 2 and “Der Frühling” Chamber works of J-Ph. Rameau
Bachanalia 2008–2009 J. S. Bach wedding cantatas, oboe concerto
Women on the Verge Music for three sopranos by Rossi, Carissimi, and Haydn
Il Trionfo del Tempo
G. F. Handel
Messiah G. F. Handel. in collaboration with Moores School of Music Concert Chorale
A Musical Pleasure Garden Songs and sonatas of Handel, Arne, Shield, and their contemporaries. Outdoor performance at Bayou Bend
2007–2008
Mad Women Baroque mad scenes by Purcell, Handel, and Clerambault
Wired Bach Instrumental music by the Bach family
Love and War Madrigals by Claudio Monteverdi
Clandestine Classics Handel’ Gloria and Bach’ Ich habe genug
A Marian Feast Religious music by A. Scarlatti
When in Rome Carissimi, Mazzocchi, and Gallerano
Duelling Divas Handel and Bach
2006–2007
Stravaganze! Scarlatti, Handel, and Vivaldi
Celestial Sirens Music for the Concerte delle donne
Biber, Bach, and Bubbly Brandenburg V, Orchestral Suite II, “Non sa che sia dolore”
Flavio G. F. Handel
Portraits d’amour French Baroque portraits
La Resurrezione G. F. Handel
2005–2006
Suonare e cantare Music of the Scarlattis
Clori, Tirsi e Fileno G. F. Handel
La descente d’Orphée aux enfers M. A. Charpentier
Goldberg Variations J. S. Bach
..Mozart @ 250 Sonatas and Trios
Lettere d'amore Monteverdi and his contemporaries
The Art of Buxtehude Vocal and instrumental chamber music
Esther G. F. Handel
2004–2005
Actéon M. A. Charpentier
Piano Trios and Songs J. Haydn
Stabat Mater D. Scarlatti
La Concettione della Beata Vergine A Scarlatti
St John Passion J. S. Bach
Hagar and Ishmael A. Scarlatti
2003–2004
Il primo omicidio A. Scarlatti
Vespers of 1610 C. Monteverdi
La Giuditta A. Scarlatti
ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI: EURIDICE DALL’INFERNO / LA CONCETTIONE DELLA BEATA VERGINE
“It's heartening to see Ars Lyrica enhancing its reputation with the release of this recording. Long may they keep the Baroque fires burning, not just in Houston but now around the world!”
— St. John Flynn, KUHF
MAD WOMEN
“Ars Lyrica sets the standard in opening the city’s classical music season. A vividly imagined program, two riveting singers and zestful music-making combined for a great evening of Baroque music.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
DUELLING DIVAS
“The concert meshed sparkling music with lush vocals. Ars Lyrica’s focus not merely on singing and playing, but also on acting and showing that classical music is fun, is a worthy endeavor, indeed.”
— Holly Beretto, ArtsHouston
CELESTIAL SIRENS
“Melissa Givens, Tracy Rhodus and Natalie Arduino...sang with vibrant style, technical pizzazz and strong communication.” “Celestial Sirens was another of Ars Lyrica’s creative and beautifully performed programs. The group continues to set the agenda for imaginative period-instrument programming in Houston.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
Listen to an excerpt: L ROSSI Udite amanti
CLORI, TIRSI E FILENO
“When cultural historians plot the development of the early music movement in Houston, the Ars Lyrica presentation of Handel’s Clori, Tirsi e Fileno will be one of the landmarks.” “The Houston singers were stylish and confident. The orchestra...played with exhilarating energy.” “With the event, Ars Lyrica has established itself as the leader among Houston’s early music ensembles.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
Listen to G. F. HANDEL Overture to Clori, Tirsi e Fileno
GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
“[Dirst’s] was playing of irresistible rhythmic impulse, the rhythm not of the metronome but of a fine dancer ever minutely adjusting to gravity’s tug. He commanded the music’s intellectual rigors but also luxuriated in its pure delight. And there was pretty dazzling virtuosity.”
— Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News
HAGAR AND ISHMAEL
“Countertenor Gerrod Pagenkopf...sang with gorgeous, even tone and exquisite emotional nuance. Soprano Melissa Givens offered her trademark clear sound and charming involvement as Sarah and the Angel. UH bass-baritone Timothy Jones was convincingly distraught as Abraham. Mezzo-soprano Sonja Bruzauskas sang Ishmael with bright color and youthful vigor. Dirst led a crisp, expressive performance...the small ensemble played with zest.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
IL PRIMO OMICIDIO
“Dirst led a vigorous performance that revealed the brilliance and depth of Scarlatti’s music very well. Every singer poured great intensity into the music. The accompaniment by the continuo group — harpsichord or organ, theorbo or Baroque guitar, Baroque cello and occasionally double bass — was exquisitely sensitive and colorful.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
VESPERS OF 1610
“The musicians made the city proud. The Houston Chamber choir, instrumental ensemble Ars Lyrica Houston and visiting wind band the Whole Noyse offered the first period instruments performance — and possibly the Houston premiere — of the great Vespers of 1610 by Claudio Monteverdi. Thursday’s first-class performance...elicited warm, sustained applause from the discerning crowd in the acoustically excellent Moores Opera House.”
— Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
LA GIUDITTA
“Ars Lyrica’s presentation came as close to opera as I’ve ever seen with three sterling singers, crisp articulation from the period string-and-continuo band, and intelligent, detailed direction.”
— Rosemary Ponnekanti, Arts Houston