Press Room
Ars Lyrica in the News
24/25 Season
Ars Lyrica serves up an enjoyably varied evening of Monteverdi and contemporaries
-Steven Brown, Texas Classical Review
Ars Lyrica Goes for Baroque (Naturally) in 2024-25 Season
-Bob Ruggiero, Houston Press
New Territory: Ars Lyrica Looks to Handel, a Commission and Women of Mozart’s Vienna
-Steven Brown, Arts and Culture Texas
23/24 Season
Amadigi speaks to the heart at Ars Lyrica Houston
-Sherry Cheng, Arts and Culture Texas
Ars Lyrica Houston Brings ‘Magical’ Händel Opera to Life for Local Premiere
-David Salazar, OperaWire
Well-Tempered Bach from Matthew Dirst
-Steven Silverman, Early Music America
Concierto de Lauren Snouffer y Ars Lyrica Houston
-Ramon Jacques, ProÓpera
Houston’s Grammy-Nominated Music Org Gets ‘Bach’ to Basics with Concert and Book Release
-Chris Becker, Houston CityBook
A Marriage of Music and Mastery: Scarlatti from Ars Lyrica Houston
-Jeffrey Baxter, Early Music America
Polish-Born Soprano Eliza Masewicz Returns to Houston to Cast a Spell at Ars Lyrica Concert
-Chris Becker, Houston CityBook
20 Years of Magic at Ars Lyrica Houston
-Sherry Cheng, Arts and Culture Texas
22/23 Season
Ars Lyrica’s season-opener a stunning mix of music and history
–Doni Wilson, Houston Chronicle
Purcell, Vivaldi, Monteverdi, Handel, and More: Ars Lyrica’s Bright New Season
–Steven Brown, Arts and Culture Texas
The Glories of Spanish Baroque Music Celebrated by Ars Lyrica Houston
–Ken Herman, San Diego Story
Ars Lyrica music group finds new rhythm in kids’ literature
–Lawrence Elizabeth Knox, Houston Chronicle
Dinosaurs and Opera Collide at This Unique Houston Gala — Ars Lyrica Keeps It Prehistoric and Musical
-Shelby Hodge, Paper City Magazine
Ars Lyrica serves up a delightful Handel rarity
-Steven Brown, Texas Classical Review
Ars Lyrica’s Handel Delivers Musical Fireworks
-Steven Brown, Arts and Culture Texas
Ars Lyrica Houston Unveils 2022-23 Season
-David Salazar, OperaWire
21/22 Season
Beauty Transcends Death: Dido and Aeneas at Ars Lyrica Houston
–Sherry Cheng, Arts and Culture Texas
Ars Lyrica Houston celebrates the sacred and earthy pleasures of Navidad
–David Wright, New York Classical Review
Dove’s “Euridice” proves strange and compelling with Ars Lyrica
–Steven Brown, Texas Classical Review
Ars Lyrica Reveals 2021–2022 Season of Turning Points
–Emma Schkloven, Houstonia
20/21 Season
Ars Lyrica’s retooled season offers fresh musical experiences
–Steven Brown, Arts and Culture Texas
Ars Lyrica launches new season with harpsichord grudge match
–Lawrence Elizabeth Knox, Houston Chronicle
Don your pajamas or ball gown for this stylish Houston online gala
–Steven Devadanam, Culturemap Houston
Ars Lyrica Houston goes for Baroque with online events
–Lawrence Elizabeth Knox, Houston Chronicle
19/20 Season
Houston nonprofits pivot to virtual galas and fundraisers in face of coronavirus pandemic –Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle
Painting in sound: Savino, Ars Lyrica bring Goya masterpieces to life
–Steven Brown, Texas Classical Review
Ars Lyrica concert blends Goya’s art with Spanish music
–Lawrence Elizabeth Knox, Houston Chronicle
Want to experience New Year’s Eve in Venice? Ars Lyrica has your back
–Lawrence Elizabeth Knox, Houston Chronicle
Ars Lyrica puts on a timeless spectacle in ‘Dancing at the Palais’
–Natalie de la Garza, Houston Press
Ars Lyrica takes Houstonians to Paris without leaving the 713 area code
–Lawrence Elizabeth Knox, Houston Chronicle
Recent Press Releases
Ars Lyrica Houston opens its 2022-23 Season with Hail, Bright Cecilia!
August 17, 2022
Ars Lyrica announces 2022-2023 Season, “Sounding Legacies”
May 4, 2022
New children’s book brings the musical baroque era to life
April 28, 2022
Ars Lyrica Houston presents Purcell’s beloved “Dido and Aeneas”
April 6, 2022
In An Uncommon Chevalier, Ars Lyrica Houston transports audiences back to a lively concert hall in eighteenth-century Paris
February 3, 2022
Ars Lyrica Houston to Present Tricentennial Bach Celebration
January 27, 2022
Visual Media
Publications
Engaging Bach: The Keyboard Legacy from Marpurg to Mendelssohn by Matthew Dirst
Reviews of Recordings
Heart and Soul: Devotional Works from the German Baroque for Voice (July 2018)
"Listeners who enjoy the countertenor voice will find a good deal to admire in Ryland Angel's interpretations, for not only does he sing with a sweet and penetrating sound but gives keen attention to the meaning of the text and the varied affects of the pieces... fine, sonorous pieces ... played sweetly... the vocal element is the main attraction here and the reason most listeners will want the disc. The disc serves as a good representative survey of 17th-century German devotional music, with fine recorded sound."
–Fanfare
Domenico Scarlatti: La Dirindina (January 2012)
“Such theatrical works have become the calling card of Ars Lyrica and its artistic director, Matthew Dirst. They seem to evoke inspired performances by the group.”
–Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
Full Reviews:
Hasse: Marc’Antonio e Cleopatra (January 2010)
2010 GRAMMY nomination
“…a thrilling performance that glows in its quieter moments and sparkles with vitality.”
–Early Music America
Full Reviews:
Alessandro Scarlatti: Euridice dall’Inferno / La Concettione della Beata Virgine (March 2009)
“...impassioned performance of strongly characterized and eloquent music.” “...played with exemplary skill and taste.”
–John Vickers, Gramophone
“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
"The range and quality of Dirst’s creations are as remarkable as the relentless ease with which he brings it all off."
–CounterPunch
Full Reviews: