Ars Lyrica to Open 2014-15 Season with FLYING HIGH, 9/7

Grammy nominated Ars Lyrica Houston has announced its 2014/15 season opener: Flying High on September 7th at 6 pm at the Hobby Center's Zilkha Hall. This program soars and lifts the spirit, with music ranging from nimble Baroque dances to a memorable setting of the legend Icarus, who flew too close to the sun. French and Italian Baroque chamber works animate this program, featuring French-Italian soprano Céline Ricci and viola da gambist Mary Springfels in G. F. Handel's evocative Tra le fiamme.

Flying High begins Ars Lyrica's 11th season, which is devoted to Baroque music that inspires diverse moods, emotions, even actions - from drama to romance, enchantment to celebration. During 2014/15, Ars Lyrica explores this variety of expression in a season called (with thanks to G. F. Handel) The Power of Music. "This is the biggest season yet for Ars Lyrica," says Artistic Director Matthew Dirst, "and the individual programs present a wonderful opportunity for us to share some amazing music with our Houston friends and patrons."

Ars Lyrica performed Flying High earlier this summer at the world-renowned Berkeley Early Music Festival & Exhibition on June 3rd. This performance marked Ars Lyrica's debut at the Berkeley Festival, and ensemble looks forward to future appearances at this festival and others around the world. "Ars Lyrica," notes Robert Cole (Artistic Director, Berkeley Festival & Exhibition) "is one of the finest ensembles of its kind...[it] greatly enriches the musical life of the City of Houston."