Fanfare Consort To Debut German Program In Two Local Venues

Fanfare Consort, which performs on historically accurate instruments, will present “Germanic Presence in Ye Olde England” works by Gottfried Finger, Georg Friederich Handel and Gottfried Keller, German-born composers who settled in England.

The concerts will feature Fanfare Consort’s founder and artistic director Thom Freas on clarino (valveless baroque trumpet); Lisa Rautenberg and David Sariti, baroque violins (gut strings); Mark Rike, baroque viola (gut strings); and Christa Rakich, positiv (portable baroque tracker pipe organ).

Performances are planned for Saturday, June 4, at 8 pm, at St Stephens Church in Trumbull, and then on Sunday, June 5, at 3 pm, at St Joseph’s Church in Danbury.

Fanfare Consort, described as one of “the best original instrument bandes” (Kate Remington, music director, WSHU Public Radio Group), is dedicated to the research, publication, performance and recording of literature composed prior to the 19th Century. The ensemble preserves this rich and unheard repertoire by performing modern-day premieres of manuscripts by composers who have been eclipsed by the great masters of music.

All concerts are presented on historically accurate instruments in order to heighten public awareness of an earlier style of performance. Concerts are presented as a lecture/demonstration performance that is both educational and entertaining. Concerts include explanations of the music and a comparison of the historical instruments and their modern counterparts.

Tickets for the June concerts are $20 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, with a maximum of $30 per family. Call 733-9733 for reservations or other information.