Severall Friends | June 15

At the turn of the 17th century, English people of every station were known to have practiced the occult arts, from alchemy and the Cabala to homespun spells and witchcraft. In the “Shadow of Night,” Severall Friends shall present something of a tasting menu of Elizabethan occult practices, exploring through readings and music the idea of magic as described by its early practitioners. Magical music, creative melancholy, the belief in sprites and fairies, seances, and cabalistic practices will all be touched upon. Each bite is spicy but be warned; they are laced with addictive elements. Many very long books have been written about each morsel.

Ryland Angel, tenor; Shira Kammen, violin; Jonathan Richards, narrator; Mark Rimple, lute and viol; Mary Springfels, viols

Severall Friends is a consortium of musicians who gather to play a broad spectrum of early music from Guillaume Machaut to Jean-Philippe Rameau. Based in Santa Fe, their mission is to bring compelling performances to the Southwest. We also plan to work with young musicians from local schools and offer workshops for adult amateurs. Mary Springfels and Elizabeth Blumenstock are co-directors, and Ken Perlow is the Treasurer and General Manager.