By Janet Palumbo
During the past 20 years, Le Triomphe de l’amour has presented over 80 concerts of Baroque music on period instruments. On Saturday, April 30, this Princeton-based Baroque chamber music ensemble will present a concert at the Unitarian Church of Princeton, celebrating the ensemble’s 20th season. Over the years, Le Triomphe de l’amour has brought the musical past to life, focusing especially on the French Baroque repertoire and 18th century music from the British Isles. Both threads will be woven together in this concert, titled “The Auld Alliance,” which features favorite Baroque compositions from France and Scotland. Special guest artist, baroque flutist Laura Ronai of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, returns for this anniversary concert. Ms. Ronai is featured on the second of Le Triomphe de l’amour’s CD releases—the world premiere recording of Boismortier’s Trio Sonatas op. 41. Recorded in the Princeton University Chapel and released on the A Casa Discos label in 2004, this recording is available on iTunes and Amazon, along with the ensemble’s first CD, of Telemann’s Trio Sonatas “dans le gout Italien” on the Lyrichord label. Ms. Ronai joins baroque violinist Elissa Wagman and members of the ensemble Laura Heimes, soprano; John Burkhalter, recorder; Donna Fournier, viola da gamba; and Janet Palumbo, harpsichord. John Burkhalter will present a brief pre-concert talk at 7:45 pm; the concert begins at 8:00 pm. In his talk, Mr. Burkhalter will discuss the cultural and political alliances that existed between France and Scotland in the 18th century.
With a nod to the ensemble’s name, the program will include Bernier’s “Le Triomphe de l’amour,” a secular cantata celebrating Cupid’s power, scored for soprano, violin, and basso continuo, along with d’Anglebert’s “Air d’Apollon du Triomphe de l’amour” for harpsichord solo. Also included is Boismortier’s Trio Sonata op. 41 no. 3, which was recorded by the ensemble on their second CD. Telemann’s virtuosic chamber work, the Paris Quartet in E minor is also on the program. Flutist Laura Ronai will be featured in the Sonata for Flute and Harpsichord op. 81, no. 2 by Boismortier. The Scottish portion of the program includes 18th century arrangements of Scottish folk tunes for recorder and a selection of Scottish songs as arranged by Franz Joseph Haydn. Haydn made the arrangements at the request of his London publisher during one of his concert tours of Britain in the late 18th century. The program will conclude with the rare and amusing “Dust Cart Cantata” by the Scottish composer James Oswald. This parody of the cantata genre will be performed from the original score, which is in the Roan-Burkhalter collection of rare 17th-18th century musical prints.
Ms. Ronai is professor of flute at the University of Rio de Janeiro and performs widely in her native country on both modern and baroque flute; she is known for her consummate artistry. Ms. Wagman is a frequent collaborator with the ensemble; this appearance immediately follows her concert tour of Germany. Soprano Laura Heimes has been praised for her “sumptuous tone and shimmering clarity” and has been a featured soloist in concerts from Carnegie Hall to California’s Carmel Bach Festival. She has taught at Westminster Choir College and Swarthmore and has recordings available on several labels. John Burkhalter is a well-known local musician and lecturer on cultural history. Ms. Palumbo is a founding member of the ensemble and its artistic director. Ms. Fournier has played viola da gamba and baroque cello with the ensemble since its second season; she also performs with several early music ensembles in the Philadelphia area.
Tickets may be purchased at the door for $20 general admission, $18 for senior citizens, and $5 for students. For information, call (609) 252-0522 or visit the ensemble’s website at www.triomphebaroque.org. This concert is made possible in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/ Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.

