All Excellent & Esteemed: The Bassano Family at Piffaro, the Renaissance Band

You know the famous family bands of the 20th century: the von Trapps, the Jackson 5, the Carter Family. Piffaro invites you to meet the Bassano family band - "four brethren, all excellent and esteemed above all others in this city," according Edmond Harvel, King Henry VIII's agent in Venice. Members of this Italian (and likely Jewish) family of wind players and instrument builders moved to Henry VIII's court, while others remained in Italy. Step back in time to hear the music they played for the Doge and the King (including songs found in Shakespeare's plays).

Playlist

• O Mistress Mine, arr. Thomas Morley, from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
• Pavana alla Venetiana, Joan Ambrosio Dalza
• Susanne ung jour, Orlando di Lassus with divisions by Giovanni Bassano
• Dances by Augustine Bassano
• Taunder naken, King Henry VIII

"My wife and I just got back home from attending your wonderful concert. We had a great time. My wife, who went in not knowing anything about your band, really enjoyed the concert and couldn't stop talking about how beautiful the music was." - Daniel P. Diehm