Piffaro's 18/19 Season Begins On Sept 14

Piffaro, The Renaissance Band, will present its season opener, Water, Wind & Waves: The Wind Band at Sea, inspired by the musicians who sailed with Sir Francis Drake and other explorers in the Age of Discovery. Tickets are $29-$49 (youth & full-time students free with ID), and are available at www.piffaro.org or by calling 215-235-8469.

What was it like to sail the high seas during the Age of Discovery? Surprisingly musical, according to historical records. "The singing of sea ballads and sea shanties while working on board ship has been a common practice for centuries, but it is also well documented that ship captains in the Age of Discovery invited professional instrumentalists to accompany them on their voyages," notes Piffaro artistic director Joan Kimball.

In a notable example, which serves as inspiration for Piffaro's September program, Sir Francis "The Dragon" Drake requested the Norwich, England waits (town band) for his Portuguese voyage in 1589. This band was renowned, having been praised by Shakespearean actor Will Kemp as the best in the land. The mayor obliged, the waits agreed to go, and the city records tell us that they were furnished with six cloaks, three new hautboys (shawms), and a treble recorder, ten pounds each for their expenses and a wagon to carry them to the ship. The voyage, whose mission was partially to sow rebellion against King Philip II, was a disaster, and only two musicians returned home alive. "Worst gig ever," remarks Piffaro executive director Shannon Cline.

Piffaro's musical program imagines musical life aboard ship: salty sea shanties and dances to entertain the crew; stirring songs recounting memorable battles; and soul-soothing hymns sung to Mary, "star of the sea," as lost comrades were consigned to the briny deep. Garrett Euker, tenor and Jean Bernard Cerin, baritone, add their voices to Piffaro's forces.

This program will be repeated at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. on September 30th, in conjuction with an exhibit of maritime paintings from the Dutch Golden Age.