Puirt a Baroque May 9 at Osprey

Formed in 1994 during Musique Royale’s summer festival, Puirt a Baroque immediately attracted the attention of the CBC and a number of broadcasts and CDs followed. Now following separate career paths, this show ‘brings the boys back together again’ in a toe tapping performance that connects Cape Breton music to its Baroque roots.

David Greenberg, fluent in both the baroque and Cape Breton violin styles, leads Puirt a Baroque in a crossover musical venture that brings normally tame baroque music audiences to their feet and has them dancing in the aisles! Greenberg, a former member of the world-class baroque orchestra Tafelmusik, is described by The Mail-Star music critic Stephen Pedersen in Halifax as "the best baroque violin soloist in Canada if not in North America." Add to that the fact that he is widely praised within Cape Breton circles as a master of their elusive style, and you get a performer you do not want to miss

This will be Greenberg’s third visit to the Osprey. Last summer he appeared with Chris Norman and David McInnis in an evening that drew a highly appreciative crowd.

Greenberg is joined by Scott Macmillan and David Sandall, who specialize in the performance of Cape Breton music and Baroque music, respectively. Macmillan has enjoyed an acclaimed career encompassing several styles of music and has many recordings to his credit, including his original Celtic Mass for the Sea. Macmillan has appeared numerous times at the Osprey, most recently with Shelley Meisner’s Brazian jazz combo.

Sandall's harpsichord playing is described by Pedersen as "flawlessly executed with a full sound and well-paced phrasing," and the combination of fiddle, guitar, and harpsichord "such a happy one--mellow, sweet, smoothly textured--there's got to be a CD in it somewhere." Whether offering the elegance and sparkle of the Baroque, the driving rhythms and soulful melodies of Cape Breton, or daring to join them together, Puirt a Baroque makes a very real connection with people.

Just in case you were wondering, Puirt a Baroque (pronounced poorsht-a-baroque) is an ensemble that celebrates the music of Cape Breton and of the Baroque era whence it came. The name is a play on puirt a beul, Gaelic for "mouth music" or (literally) "tunes from the mouth," highland Scottish fiddle tunes sung with lyrics. Thus, Puirt a Baroque becomes "Tunes from the Baroque."

Expect another evening with a delightful and surprising fusion of Classical and Celtic music. Celtic Fusion plays at the Osprey at 8 PM Friday, May 9th. Tickets are $20, available at the Whirligig, 875 1117 or at the door.

And just a reminder, the next Nautilus concert will be Maritime Concert Opera’s production of Bizet’s Carmen, with popular contralto Nina Scott-Stoddart singing the lead. The Opera will be at the Osprey Thursday, June 19. Why not invite a friend to be initiated into opera. Special deals will be available for first time opera goers.