The acclaimed Ensemble Caprice will be presenting an unusual classical concert this January in the London North area as it presents “Sweet! Chocolate and French Baroque Music.”
The concert aims to use classical pieces to illustrate the journey the cacao bean took following initial European contact with the Americas. The concert will begin with pieces inspired by Spain, such as Medard’s Sarabande Espagnole, reflecting Spanish master chocolatiers, and will conclude with the anonymous piece Contredanses Parisiennes, representing the sweet treat’s acceptance by the French high court. Composers represented include Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Michel Corrette, Marin Marais, and Francois Couperin, spanning three centuries of French classical music.
“Sweet!” is performed by Ensemble Caprice, a Juno Award-winning group led by acclaimed conductor and musician Matthias Maute that has become known for its wide and eclectic repertoire. The group members play a variety of string, wind, and percussive instruments to provide their interpretation of classical pieces, and have performed at prestigious venues around the world.
The performance is also part of the Jeffrey Concerts, a monthly series of classical music in London. Classical concerts like this use modern methods such as poster printing and social media to help draw in local music lovers.
“Sweet! Chocolate and French Baroque Music” will take place at Wolf Performance Hall in London’s Central Library, close to London North, on the afternoon of January 21.
