The Rose Ensemble, which marries virtuoso vocals with scholarly research, unwraps long-forgotten lyrical traditions for audiences when it debuts Christmas in Baroque Malta, a musical and historical tribute to the Mediterranean country’s 17th century.
The ensemble, founded in 1996, performs programs that give musical life to culture, history and spirituality from around the world. While the group performs medieval through 19th-century music, new pieces are commissioned to pair with literature or poetry. The ensemble’s performance repertoire features music in 25 languages crossing 1,000 years. Rose Ensemble founder and artistic director Jordan Sramek scours manuscript libraries in hopes of discovering material that can be scored and given another artistic angle.
In developing programming that is “educational and enlightening,” Sramek considers how the ensemble can use music to highlight the historical context or political motivations that may have influenced a writer or composer. “We can help audiences learn about history in a really unique way,” Sramek says.
Mention Baroque, medieval and Renaissance history, paired with music, and some potential audiences might feel intimidated. Jake Endres, ensemble member and artistic assistant, waves off the notion and says audience members don’t need to know a lot about music to enjoy the programs. As a performer, Endres views himself as a conduit between a different time and the audience. It’s his goal to make that world as transparent and accessible as possible. “This is the group that allows me to do that to the utmost,” Endres says of the Rose Ensemble.
It’s difficult to measure what Sramek relishes more—the research or the final product. “It struck me that this is a wonderful way to connect the past to the present,” he says of creating programs to honor history and music. His research for the Malta series included visiting the manuscript library at St. John’s University in Collegeville, and securing the assistance of a member of the Maltese Parliament. “I didn’t want this to be a flippant decision,” Sramek says of choosing the program’s elements. “I want it to have real roots.”
The program will have roots that stretch to the center of the island of Malta—the city of Mdina—and into the late 17th century at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the source of the material in Sramek’s quest. “It’s something that Jordan has wanted to explore for a very long time,” Endres says. “It’s going to be pretty marvelous and grand,” he says of Christmas in Baroque Malta.
Twin Cities composer Timothy Takach was commissioned to create a piece that will premiere in the series. Sramek carefully chose Takach. “I want our audience to feel that we chose someone who is part of our community, and they can feel a connection,” Sramek says. “[Takach] is a wonderful choral composer.” Before Takach begins composing a piece of this nature, he immerses himself in the text, reading it and internalizing its essence until it melds with his musical intuition. “My job is to translate that into a musical gesture,” he says. While attempting to understand the nuances of the words penned by an author who died long ago can be a challenge, Takach finds it well worth the effort. “That’s the exciting thing about creating new art—at minute one, you’re not so sure what you’re going to get,” he says. “The end product is shrouded in mystery.”
The Rose Ensemble has an active educational outreach program. It offers K-12 programming with vocal and instrumental demonstrations, group discussions and activities designed for academic standards in music, history, geography and world languages. The ensemble partners with libraries, offering educational programs, lecture demonstrations and sing-a-longs. Colleges and universities also benefit from lecture demonstrations, coaching workshops, master classes and residencies. Master classes include demonstrations, ensemble-to-ensemble coaching, vocal exercises and historical context appreciation.
Performances of Christmas in Baroque Malta will be held December 18 at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Saint Paul; December 19 at Minneapolis’ Basilica of St. Mary; and December 20 at Church of the Holy Family, St. Louis Park. Ticket information is available at the website here, or by calling 651.225.4340.
