Suzanne Bona

This is the day in Venice, Italy when a special ceremony takes place. Sposalizio del Mare (Wedding of the Sea) has been celebrated for many centuries, and corresponds with the church’s observance of Ascension Day. The ceremony involves a procession of boats, led by the Doge (nowadays, though, it’s the Mayor of Venice), with special […]

Today’s Beautiful Music is wrapped up in a wonderful little documentary about a 17th century French composer and viola da gamba player, Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe. It was created by a 20th century viola da gamba player, Ibrahim Aziz. There’s a link to his website, as well as the marvelous film he made about Sainte-Colombe during

Today’s Beautiful Music is a concert performance  by bass-baritone Jonathan Woody with the Britten–Pears Baroque Orchestra, directed by Christian Curnyn, They are performing the aria “Racks, gibbets, sword and fire” from George Frideric Handel’s oratorio THEODORA. Mr. Woody shines with drama and virtuosity and, as a seasoned professional, is setting a standard to emulate for

Johann Sebastian Bach’s jobs came with many responsibilities, including the task of composing music for various Christian church celebrations. Bach composed his CANTATA BWV11 — aka his ASCENSION ORATORIO — for the celebration of Ascension, which is 40 days after Easter. Cantata BWV11 premiered in Leipzig on May 19, 1735. Today’s Beautiful Music features a

What is a Rondo? (aka Rondeau) It’s a type of poetry and music with roots in Medieval times. It’s also a musical form and type of dance that has evolved over the centuries. These are some rondos to enjoy today — you may even recognize some of them!         Jean-Joseph Mouret: Rondeau

I stumbled across this haunting performance and found it so captivating that I knew I had to share it with you. It’s an amalgam of ancient and modern, performed by soprano Meredith Hall with La Nef and Les Charbonniers de l’Enfer. It’s Beautiful Music to transport you to another place and time for a few

Every year, May 10 is celebrated as DIA DE LAS MADRES, aka Mexican Mother’s Day. This is Beautiful Music by Juana Ines de la Cruz, a nun born in 1651 in Tepetlixpa, Mexico. She was a self-taught writer, philosopher, and composer. Juana Ines de la Cruz composed this villancico — MADRE, LA DE LOS PRIMORES

Happy Mother’s Day! Today’s Beautiful Music will introduce you to something clever, creative and (most likely) an instrument that’s new to you! It’s a modern copy of an instrument called a “mother and child virginal” … I won’t give away the secret. Just watch the video and enjoy! Ruckers mother-and-child virginal, instrument of the month,

If you need something toe-tapping and fun, this Beautiful Music is for you! It’s the period instrument orchestra, Apollo’s Fire, led by their founder, Jeannette Sorrell, playing some Appalachian Fiddle Tunes. Icing on the cake is seeing the pure joy and enthusiasm on the performers’ faces! Hop High Ladies & June Apple (Appalachian fiddle tunes)

Teachers and mentors are so important in every field, and the one-on-one exchange that happens in a Master Class is particularly intense and intimate. Today’s Beautiful Music features renowned mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato coaching a young musician — the remarkable countertenor Key’mon Murrah — singing the aria WHERE’ER YOU WALK from George Frideric Handel’s opera SEMELE.