Staunton: Three Notch’d Road presents Italian pastoral drama in February

Three Notch’d Road: The Virginia Baroque Ensemble will present “If Music Be the Food of Love” on Feb. 14, 15 and 16.

Three Notch’d Road continues its 2024-25 season with a Valentine’s Day program that blends Italian pastoral drama with songs from the British Isles. Divided into three chapters (Eros, Philia and Agape), the program celebrates love in all its forms with passion-filled laments, transcendent airs, and joyous dances. Baroque
clarinetist and guest artistic director Dominic Giardino leads the ensemble in vocal and instrumental works that include selections from Vivaldi’s Juditha triumphans, Handel’s Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, and Caldara’s Eurestio and song settings by Henry Purcell.

The Virginia Baroque Ensemble is Dominic Giardino, guest Artistic Director, on baroque clarinet and chalumeau; Sheila Dietrich, soprano; Kim Leeds, mezzo-soprano, Kelsey Schilling on bassoon, Fiona Hughes on violin, Jason Fisher on viola and Jennifer Streeter on harpsichord.

Three Notch’d Road: The Virginia Baroque Ensemble is named for a colonial route through central Virginia, and specializes in the performance of historical repertoires from both sides of the Atlantic. Their musicianship is founded on a vigorous historical approach, offering little-known music of the baroque as well as incisive performances of well-known favorites. In addition to a subscription series, Three Notch’d Road musicians perform in schools throughout central Virginia.

Three Notch’d Road has appeared at the Garth Newel Music Center, Waterford Concert Series, the Ewell Concert Series at the College of William & Mary, Shenandoah University’s Bach-Handel Festival, the Boston Early Music Festival Fringe Concert Series, the Tuesday Concert Series at Church of the Epiphany in Washington, D.C., and in collaboration with the University of Virginia Chamber Singers under the direction of Michael Slon.

In 2016, Three Notch’d Road was featured on the prestigious Music at Dumbarton Oaks concert series, and
in 2013, they presented the music of Salamone Rossi at the Italian Embassy (both in Washington, DC).

The ensemble’s 14th Season is sponsored in part by grants from the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge and Virginia National Bank.

On Friday, February 14, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., the ensemble will perform at Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley St., Staunton. On Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 4 p.m., the ensemble’s performance will be at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 7599 Rockfish Gap Turnpike (Rt. 250 West), Greenwood (Crozet). The Sunday, February 16, 2025, performance at 4 p.m. will be at Grace Episcopal Church, 5607 Gordonsville Rd., Keswick.

A pre-concert talk by Guest Artistic Director Dominic Giardino will be held 30 minutes before each
performance.

Tickets are available online and at the door. General admission is $30 per adult. Youth and students are free.
For more information, call 434-409-3424 or email [email protected].