Musick’s Recreation

For their first performance in the Berkshires, we welcome Lyracle to the Bidwell House Museum to perform their concert Musick’s Recreation Historic houses help us imagine what home life might have looked like for some people in colonial Massachusetts, but what might it have sounded like? Find out at a performance of historical music ensemble Lyracle’s program, Musick’s Recreation. In this program, Lyracle focuses on a few documented viol players in colonial Massachusetts as well as viol players who were left out of historical records. They connect what is known about the various experiences of musicians at that time to English repertoire that was likely present in 17th and early 18th century Massachusetts. Attendees will enjoy the music of beloved composers like Henry Purcell and his lesser-known contemporaries, and help celebrate all kinds of local historic music-making: the silly, the serious and everything in between. This special performance will take place in the dining room of the Bidwell House Museum and space will be limited. The concert will be followed by a small wine and cheese reception in the 1840’s room. Parking details will be emailed to attendees a few days in advance of the show. Lyracle is a historical music ensemble whose mission is to explore the role that music has played in people’s lives and communities. They develop and perform concert programs that engage with history through music, tell the stories of people who partook in music for voice and viol, and illuminate our shared humanity. Mezzo-soprano Ashley Mulcahy and viol player James Perretta founded Lyracle in 2018. Rather than seeking answers to the question “who composed for voices and viols?” Lyracle concert programs address the question “who throughout history made music with voices and viols, and in what way?” Within this paradigm, Lyracle programs use music as a vehicle to share histories of diverse groups and individuals from around the globe. Lyracle launched its self-produced concert series in the 2022-2023 season and presents two new concert programs in Massachusetts annually.