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Texas Early Music Project Spotlight Italian Baroque Music for February Concerts

Texas Early Music Project highlights the music of 17th and 18th century Italy with a night of Italian baroque music for the "Fleurs-de-LYS 2012: Laurie Young Stevens and Friends" concert. The "Musica Stravagante" performances will play February 10th and 12th.

Under the direction of Texas Early Music Project artistic director, Daniel Johnson, the concert features German violin virtuoso Henning Vater, founder of the Göttingen Baroque Orchestra, and Dutch recorder maestro Paul Leenhouts - now director of Early Music Studies at North Texas University in Denton. A small ensemble of up-and-coming stars from around the United States - including Austin soprano Jenifer Thyssen - will complete the cast for this year's ensemble.

In the Baroque period, Italian composers were influenced by the harmonic, rhythmic and dramatic innovations of early 17th century composers - such as Merula and Monteverdi - who made Italy a hotbed of musical brilliance. Works by these innovators are featured in this concert, along with pieces by later composers - such as Corelli, who profited from their advances.

Performances will be on Friday, February 10th, at 8 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral located at 203 East 10th Street - and on Sunday, February 12th, at 3 p.m. at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, located at 1500 North Capital of Texas Highway. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.

Student Rush Tickets will be available at the door for $5 for students with a valid ID. For more information and reservations, call (512) 377-6961 or visit www.early-music.org.

(Image courtesy TEMP)