Stepping into St. Mary of the Annunciation Church for the performances of Early Music at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival is like being whisked away to a world of corsets, carriages, and candlelit balls.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, this sacred venue transforms into a portal, bridging the centuries between us and the courtly grandeur of the Bridgerton era. The rich acoustics and serene atmosphere of the church with ethereal sunlight filtering through the stained glass set the perfect stage for the journey through time to when music used to be composed on pianos and the harpsichord.
The Bridgerton series shapes modern pop hits into elegantly reimagined classical compositions, captivating audiences with their blend of the old and new. However, in the presence of the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra ensemble, performing scrumptious music to the likes of Bach and J. Rosenmüller in the aptly named performance of “German Chocolate” is a realm of realization of the true origins of today’s pop music.
The interplay of violin (played by David Wilson and Janelle Davis), cello (played by Barbra Krumdieck), and theorbo (played by William Simms) brings into being a textured landscape of music that echoes the complex layers of modern pop, revealing its classical roots.
This journey does not stop at the allusion to the songs of now. In Ulyana Machaneva’s spellbinding performance in “The Golden Age of Spanish Guitar,” as she played Astor Piazzolla’s “Asturias,” I discovered that Elley Duhé’s “Middle of the Night” samples a part of this very piece. The haunting melodies and the complex finger work brought a contemporary edge to the timeless beauty of classical guitar, drawing a direct line from past to present.
The magic of these performances elevates the church’s serene and intimate setting. The quiet reverence of the space makes every note resonate deeply, satisfying the craving to waltz in a 19th century ballroom while a Paganini-worshiping pianist (you know I am talking about Liszt) plays away. It is an experience that speaks to both connoisseurs of early music and newcomers, blending historical authenticity with the vibrancy of popular culture.
For those seeking to continue this journey through time, the Early Music Series offers daily performances at 3 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church until June 8.
Each concert is a unique voyage, with upcoming shows featuring the Spartina Consort’s “Shakespeare’s Stage Band,” a one-time performance that promises to be a highlight of the festival.
And for those craving the classics, future performances will showcase the timeless works of Bach and Vivaldi, delivering an authentic taste of the Baroque era and then bringing you back to the world today with the last performance highlighting the history of Spanish Guitar.
So don your finest attire, channel your inner aristocrat, and prepare to be enchanted by the Early Music Series at Piccolo Spoleto Festival. It is a rendezvous with history you will not want to miss.
Shirin Gupta, an Arts Journalism and Communications graduate of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, is a creative storyteller. Check our her blog: popCulture Baazar.
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