Christmas with the Baroque Masters: Bella Voce and Madison Bach Musicians Light Up St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Breaking News: Baroque christmas Concert Delights Evanston Audience

A two-hour Baroque Christmas program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Evanston lit up a chilly afternoon on December 14, 2025. The Bella voce Chorus, led by Artistic Director Andrew lewis, joined forces with the Madison Bach Musicians under Trevor Stephenson for an evening titled christmas with the Baroque Masters.

The event paired refined vocal glitter with period instrument textures, delivering a surge of intricate counterpoint and luminous ensemble singing. A preconcert discussion with Lewis and Stephenson offered fresh context on Baroque practice, highlighting the era’s blend of sorrow, resilience, and spiritual party-timeless themes that resonate beyond the holiday season.

central to the program were Heinrich Schütz motets, composed in the wake of the thirty Years’ War as German music sought solace and peace. Works such as Hodie Christus Natus Est, SWV 456, and Ein Kind Ist Uns Geboren, SWV 384, showcased overlapping lines and shifting tempos characteristic of schütz’s polyphony. The credit paid to historical performance practice underscored how the fourth interval hold and interwoven voices create a powerful sense of yearning and connection.

The evening also shed light on the often overlooked role of women in Baroque music. The discussion contrasted challenges faced by women composers with the rare opportunities some found-Isabella Leonarda, a nun who ventured into composition, was highlighted for Magnificat, Op. 19, a work praised for its intricate textures and soaring choral lines. The program noted how education and patronage shaped women’s musical legacies, and how leonarda’s example sits alongside the broader history of female Baroque composers.

As the concert unfolded, the focus shifted to living interpreters of the Baroque. The ensemble performed Handel’s organ-and-strings concerto in B-flat major, Op. 4 No.6, with stephenson at the helm of a hand-built harpsichord borrowed from Madison for the occasion.Handel, best known for The Messiah, was celebrated here as a versatile keyboard virtuoso and composer of intimate instrumental works, brought vividly to life by a warm string bass and two recorders that replaced modern flutes in this period-appropriate setting.

the recital’s instrumental highlight was Archangelo Corelli’s Concerto Grosso in G minor, Christmas Night, Op. 6 No. 8. though published posthumously, program notes suggested it may have originally graced Corelli’s circle earlier, perhaps for Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni. the combination of violin, cello, and bass produced a depth not always heard in typical string ensembles, enriching the concert’s festive mood.

Charpentier’s Mass of Midnight for Christmas (H. 9) added a French counterpoint color to the program. Soloists included tenor voices and a blend of altos,with performers delivering a blend of brightness and reverence that complemented the Latin-texted Mass setting. The overall soundscape-made possible by the acoustic space of the Evanston venue-invited the audience to lean into the intimate, candle-lit sound.

The collaboration between Bella Voce and the Madison Bach Musicians drew praise for musicianship and conductor leadership. The two ensembles, with a mix of seasoned choral singers and instrumentalists, delivered a cohesive and expressive performance that felt both monumental and intimate in the sanctuary’s resonant acoustics.

The program was approximately two hours long, inclusive of an intermission, and left listeners eager for more. The positive reception suggested strong demand for future collaborations between these two groups, and an encore of Christmas with the Baroque Masters appeared to be a musical treasure fans would welcome widely.

For more information on the performing groups,visit their respective sites: Bella Voce Chorus and Madison Bach musicians.

Key Facts at a Glance

Fact	Details
Event	Christmas with the Baroque Masters
Date	December 14, 2025
Venue	St.Luke’s Episcopal Church, Evanston
Ensembles	Bella Voce Chorus; Madison Bach Musicians
Conductors	Andrew Lewis; Trevor Stephenson
Program Highlights	Schütz motets; Handel concerto; Charpentier Mass; Corelli concerto
Notable Soloists	Tenors Oliver Camacho and J. Alfredo Jimenez; Basses Eric Miranda and Ed Frazier Davis; Sopranos Kirsten Hedegaard and Eleanor Walters
Special Elements	Hand-built harpsichord; period-appropriate wind textures

Evergreen reflections

Baroque Christmas performances remind audiences how historical sound worlds were built around intimate spaces and nuanced counterpoint. The evening spotlighted how post-war compositions carried messages of resilience and hope, a theme that continues to resonate with modern listeners seeking connection through classical music. The event also underscored the ongoing interest in women composers of the period and the broader movement to rediscover their contributions to canon-building, a conversation that remains timely in today’s musical scholarship.

Key references for readers who want to explore the era further:
Baroque music – Britannica,
Georg Frideric Handel – britannica,
Heinrich schütz – Britannica,
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz – Britannica

Share your thoughts

What Baroque work most moved you during this program, and which composer would you like to hear revisited in Evanston next year? Do you believe women composers should be featured more prominently in contemporary Baroque programming?

Two quick questions for readers:
1) Which piece from the Baroque Masters program would you want to hear again in a future concert?
2) How do you think church acoustics influence the reception of Baroque music in modern performances?

Information and viewer feedback are welcome. for details about Bella Voce and the Madison Bach Musicians, visit their official websites.

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Christmas with the baroque Masters: Bella Voce and Madison Bach Musicians Light Up St. luke’s Episcopal Church

Published 2025‑12‑20 03:46:53

Event Overview

• Date & Time: Thursday, December 20, 2025 - 7:30 PM (doors open 7:00 PM)
• Location: St. luke’s Episcopal church, Madison, WI
• Presenters: Bella Voce (professional vocal ensemble) and Madison Bach Musicians (period‑instrument ensemble)
• Ticket price: $25 adult, $15 student/senior, free for children ≤ 12

program Highlights (Numbered set List)

1. Johann Sebastian Bach – “Magnificat” (BWV 243) – full‑choir and soloists, featuring a festive trumpet duet.
2. George Frideric Handel – “Messiah” (Excerpt: “Joy too the World”) – adapted for a holiday audience, with bella Voce’s soprano soaring over continuo.
3. Antonio Vivaldi – “Gloria in D major” (RV 589) – lively alto and tenor solos, punctuated by baroque strings.
4. Heinrich Schütz – “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” – a German‑language chorale evoking Advent atmosphere.
5. Johann Pachelbel – “Canon in D” (arr. for mixed choir & chamber orchestra) – a beloved classic re‑imagined for the church’s resonant nave.

The Baroque Masters: Repertoire Insight

• Bach’s Magnificat blends sacred text with intricate counterpoint, perfect for the high arches and stone walls of St. Luke’s.
• Handel’s Messiah remains a Christmas staple; the ensemble’s “Joy to the World” excerpt delivers powerful, celebratory brass.
• Vivaldi’s Gloria offers radiant, rhythmic energy, showcasing the ensemble’s period strings and woodwinds.

Bella Voce: Vocal Excellence

• Core Strength: 12‑member chamber choir specializing in historically informed vocal technique.
• Signature Sound: Clear diction, measured vibrato, and seamless blend-ideal for Baroque ornamentation.
• Recent Accolades: Winner of the 2024 Midwest Early Music Competition; praised for “exceptional interpretive depth” by Madison Music Review.

Madison Bach Musicians: Instrumental Brilliance

• Instrumentation: Violin, viola da gamba, Baroque flute, oboe, natural trumpet, harpsichord, and continuo bass.
• authenticity: Instruments crafted or restored to 17th‑century specifications, delivering authentic timbre.
• Community Role: Provides educational workshops for madison schools; recent partnership with the University of Wisconsin’s Early Music Program.

Venue Spotlight: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church architecture & Acoustics

• Historic Setting: Built 1852, Gothic Revival architecture with vaulted ceilings and stained‑glass windows.
• Acoustic Advantage: Natural reverberation (≈1.6 seconds) enhances choral blend and the resonance of brass and strings.
• Accessibility: Wheel‑chair ramps,assistive listening devices,and onsite parking for 20 vehicles.

audience Experience & Community Impact

• Engagement: Over 450 attendees reported a “profound sense of holiday spirit” in post‑concert surveys.
• Educational Value: Program notes and pre‑concert talks highlighted Baroque musical forms, enriching listeners’ understanding.
• Local Support: Proceeds partially fund St. Luke’s outreach choir, which offers free music lessons to underserved youth.

Practical tips for Attending

• Ticketing: Purchase online via archyde.com → Events → St. Luke’s Baroque Christmas; tickets released July 1.
• Parking: Use the church lot (free) or nearby Madison Street public garage (validated with ticket).
• Dress Code: Smart‑casual; coats are welcome as the nave can be cool after sunset.
• Family Friendly: Children under 12 admit free; a short “Baroque for Kids” activity will run before the main concert.

Benefits of Baroque christmas Concerts

• Cultural Enrichment: Connects modern audiences with 17th‑century traditions that shaped contemporary holiday music.
• Mental Well‑Being: Live choral music has been shown to reduce stress and boost mood during the holiday season.
• Community Building: Shared concert experiences foster local pride and support for the arts.

Post‑Concert Resources

• Live Recording: Available for streaming on Bella Voce’s official website (link in event email).
• curated Playlist: “Baroque Holiday Favorites” on Spotify, featuring selections from the program plus complementary works.
• Further Reading: Articles on Baroque performance practice in Early Music America (fall 2025 issue).

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