APERI ANIMAM returns to their house repertoire, that of the Tudor composers, to explore the British adoration and veneration of Mary, a brave Jewish woman of Nazareth and the mother of Jesus Christ. The embodiment of holy femininity, Mary was the image through which Medieval thinkers understood the unconditional love, compassion, mercy, and beauty of God, and composers didn’t shy away from expressing her splendor. APERI ANIMAM’s concert meditation Mater alma (“Nurturing Mother”) falls on Mother’s Day weekend in celebration of the Mother archetype, and features works of Robert Fayrfax, John Taverner, William Byrd, as well as contemporary works by Cecilia McDowall, Benjamin Britten, and James MacMillan.
The 7:00 p.m. concert is preceded by a lecture at 6:15 p.m. given by current Marquette doctoral candidate Kyle D. Potter, MTh (Oxon), MTS. In this short talk, Potter will identify some cultural baggage that makes Marian devotion unappealing. Resourced by feminist thinkers in both biblical and theological studies, he will offer a fresh reading of Christian doctrine that casts Mary as both Sister and Mother.
All concertgoers are warmly invited to a reception and silent auction following the concert. If you are interested in donating items or services to the auction, please email Sam at sam@aperianimam.com. Proceeds support their first CD recording project taking place this August with $1,500 more to go to reach their $5,000 goal.
Tickets are on sale now. To ensure smooth and swift ticket lines, please consider ordering tickets online ahead–of–time and showing your receipt at the entry table. Preferred seating is $35, and general seating is $25, but there is a pay-what-you-can option at the door for any students, artists, seniors, or others for which this ticket price would be too great of a financial burden.
Please share this concert with friends, family, co–workers—anyone who could use an evening to relax, reflect, and enjoy refreshingly relevant music. Christians and non-Christians alike benefit from this timeless art; all regardless of faith tradition or lack thereof are welcome to join.