Richard Stone
From our good friends at Columbia Baroque …
Columbia Baroque invites you to join us Tuesday, May 10 as we present ”Catesby Comes to the Carolinas: A 300th Anniversary Celebration” the final program of our concert series, “Around the Globe: Exploring Unfamiliar Territories.” Our concert is a collaboration with the Catesby 300 organization as they lead the celebration of the 300th anniversary of Mark Catesby in the Carolinas. We are delighted to welcome John Myers, historian, and guest artist Richard Stone, theorbo and lute, who joins our performers Brittnee Siemon, mezzo-soprano; Mary Hostetler Hoyt, baroque violin; Erika Cutler, baroque violin; Gail Ann Schroeder, viola da gamba; and William Douglas, harpsichord.
The renowned English naturalist, Mark Catesby came to the Carolinas in 1722 to study flora and fauna, the results of which were included in his Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands. In addition, Catesby enjoyed singing and was especially fond of the music of Georg Frederic Handel.
Our concert will open with a delightful trio sonata by William McGibbon followed by English songs from the pub favored by Catesby as a participant. To connect with Catesby’s love of nature, we will include a section of music in imitation of birds followed by solo selections for each member of our ensemble. The program will conclude with music by Catesby’s favorite composer, Georg Frederic Handel.
The Washington Post has described lutenist Richard Stone's playing as having "the energy of a rock solo and the craft of a classical cadenza." His recordings of the Fasch lute concerto and the complete Weiss lute concerti are available on Chandos. Other recording and broadcast credits include Deutsche Grammophon, Polygram, NPR, the BBC and Czech Radio. He has been guest soloist with Apollo's Fire, Handel and Haydn Society, Mark Morris Dance Group, the Boston Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Stone co-founded and co-directs Philadelphia baroque orchestra Tempesta di Mare and is professor of lute and theorbo at the Peabody Institute.
A career teacher, John Myers began as an adult educator for unique groups in South Carolina: migrant and seasonal farmworkers and for state Native Americans, specifically the Catawba Nation. He retired from the South Carolina Department of Education in 2019 and is now employed as a historical interpreter at the Lexington County Museum. An avid birder, Myers is a member of the Audubon Society of Columbia and a team leader of the Catesby 300 planning committee, a group of SC state and national park administrators, statewide educators and museum administrators and historians.
Columbia Baroque’s “Catesby Comes to the Carolinas: A 300th Anniversary Celebration” will be presented Tuesday evening, May 10 in the Recital Hall at the University of South Carolina School of Music, 813 Assembly St. in Columbia. Come early for “Concert Conversations,” hosted by scholar, Peter Hoyt beginning at 7 p.m. with the performance at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20. All students attend free. For ticket purchasing and information visit www.columbiabaroque.org.