Crescendo takes on Carissimi in concert

On Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24, Crescendo will present works by Giacomo Carissimi, a notable 17th century Italian composer.

The program will take place at St. James Place in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on March 23 and Trinity Church in Lime Rock, Connecticut, on March 24.

Works by Carissimi are not performed often, despite his status as one of the more prominent composers of his time in the genres of oratorio and cantata. His music laid the groundwork for famous composers such as Bach and Handel, and the selections for this concert showcase quick and dynamic tempo changes as well as beautiful phrases with intense emotion. Although Carissimi did not write opera like many composers of his time, this led to his works having more prominent and pointed use of chorus.

The concert will feature 30 singers, making it one of the larger choruses of Crescendo’s season, as well as seven period instruments.

The Mass, “Missa L’homme Armé,” stands as the main portion of the concert and its second half. It is based on a medieval piece “The Armed Man,” and there are over 30 written masses from this time period that are based on this tune.

This war resounding song is reflected in Carissimi’s Mass with its battle fanfares and aggressive instrumentation. Yet as often as the music insists upon its visions of war, there are an equal number of heartfelt, somber and uniquely beautiful sections, some of which are sung only by solo voices.

After some investigation and communication with choirs around the country, Crescendo founder and director Christine Gevert says this is likely a United States premiere of this music. “Today I heard back from the director of the Carissimi ensemble in the U.S., who has performed many of his works, and, of course, keeps a close eye on everything related to Carissimi,” said Gevert. “He also does not know of a U.S. performance. So I think it is safe to say that it is.”

To learn more or purchase tickets, go to www.crescendomusic.org

Latest News

Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton voter turnout declines after 2023 peak

Downtown Millerton

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — Voter turnout in the Village of Millerton dropped sharply in 2025, with just 58 ballots cast in this year’s village election — less than a third of the record turnout seen just two years earlier.

The election on June 17 marked a stark contrast to 2023, when signs littered the intersection of Route 22 and Route 44 and 208 voters headed to the polls to decide a competitive mayoral race between incumbent Jenn Najdek and challenger Kelly Kilmer. That year also featured two contested trustee positions and generated the highest turnout in at least five years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Local author to give library book talk on his ‘amusing life’

The Amenia Free Library on Route 343 in Amenia.

Photo by John Coston

AMENIA — Fans of reading will want to attend an upcoming book talk at the Amenia Library on Saturday, June 28, 11:30 a.m., when local author Jorge Sanchez will discuss his short stories based on his own life, finding enough about his life that was amusing and engaging to want to share it with others.

Sanchez will discuss his stories published as Sanchez 5 Inbound: Collection 1 and 2. He also plans to answer questions, discuss the process, and sign copies.

Keep ReadingShow less