Fashion is always a reflection of its time, along with the broader artistic and creative zeitgeist. That connection is explored in an event by One-of-a-Kind Concerts — Baroque Music & Fashion.
“This is more than just a concert,” says organizer Maya Vasserman. “It’s a lecture concert.” The event takes place on May 24.
The word itself originates from the Spanish barreuco, as Vasserman points out, which refers to a larger or irregularly shaped pearl. In the French, during the 16th century, it came to describe something that was bizarre or unnecessarily complicated.
It wasn’t until the 17th century that the word came to refer to the elaborate, intricately ornamented style that encompassed the art, architecture, fashion, and more of the period of European history between 1600 and 1750.
The Event
With a combination of music and lecture offers an immersive dive into European Baroque culture.
The Music
The ensemble includes organ, flute, soprano and piano in various combinations, featuring Holly Chaplin (soprano), Dmitriy Varelas (flute), Maya Vasserman (piano), Alina Grunina (guitar), Yulia Varelas (organ/piano), and Alyson Guan (piano). Guan is a 13 year old student of Vasserman.
Music from Bach, Vivaldi, Rameau and Scarlatti and others is on the program, including:
- Bach, Toccata in D Minor — with Yulia Varelas (organ)
- Scarlatti, Sonata in C Major — with Alyson Guan (piano)
- Bach, Minuet & Badinerie — with Dmitriy Varelas (flute) & Maya Vasserman (piano)
- Handel, Tornami a Vagheggiar from opera Alcina — with Holly Chaplin (soprano) & Maya Vasserman (piano)
- Bach, Prélude from Cello Suite no. 1 — with Alina Grunina (guitar)
- Bach, Sonata in C Major (Adagio, Minuet I & II) — with Dmitriy Varelas (flute) & Alina Grunina (guitar)
- Handel, Myself I Shall Adore from opera Semele — with Holly Chaplin (soprano) & Maya Vasserman (piano)
- Bach, Allegro from Sonata in G Minor — with Dmitriy Varelas (flute) & Yulya Varelas (piano)
- Bocherrini, Minuet — with Maya & Eitan Vasserman (Minuet dancers), Dmitriy Varelas (flute) & Yulia Varelas (piano)
- Handel, Alla Hornpipe from Water Music — with Maya Vasserman (piano)
- Bach, Air on the G String — with Dmitriy Varelas (flute)/organ (Yulia Varelas)
- Bach, Siciliana — with Dmitriy Varelas (flute) & Alyson Guan (piano)
- Rameau, Les Sauvages from opera-ballet Les Indes Galantes — with Alyson Guan (piano)
- Gluck, Dance of the Blessed Spirits from opera Orfeo ed Euridice — with Dmitriy Varelas (flute) & Alyson Guan (piano)
- Handel, Rejoice Greatly from Messiah — with Holly Chaplin (soprano) & Maya Vasserman (piano)
Vasserman says she chose largely familiar works for the event. “Because they are well known, and because they are not too depressing,” she laughs.
She has been presenting this type of event since 2014. “It’s about fashion,” she says. “And we are going to demonstrate it on ourselves, all musicians,” she adds. “We will wear [period] costumes.”
Unexpected logistics issues arose. “[Yulia Varelas], the organ player, she told me she absolutely cannot wear a dress because she cannot see the pedals,” she laughs. The dresses include not only voluminous skirts, but puffy underskirts as well. “The men refused to wear tights,” she adds.
“The truth is, it’s extremely hot to play in these outfits. It’s hot! But it’s a lot of fun. I call myself the Duchess, and my husband is the Duke.”
The music will be performed in one set. “We are going to dance a minuet while the flutist and (organist) will accompany us,” she says. Maya and her husband will perform. “We used to take some ballroom classes. We’ll see how it goes.”
The Lecture
The lecture will delve into the details, including the wigs, footwear, beauty marks, and even the artistry of Baroque makeup.
“It’s not a serious lecture where everybody falls asleep. It’s going to be very entertaining,” says Vasserman. “I touch base on everything in the Baroque, starting with architecture and art, and [ending with] fashion and music.” Illustrations will flesh out the ideas. “There’s a lot of entertainment,” she adds.
“I’m going to talk about the mouche, the beauty marks. They were basically invented, and how they became a secret language for fashionistas.”
She’ll detail how the wigs are constructed, and why they were worn. Even footwear was decorated with ornamental buckles, and there were ruffles on everything. “We’re going to demonstrate and illustrate that it’s very tough to wear this stuff.”
Even though it will be warm under those layers of fabric and frills, it’s an event she’s looking forward to. “It’s a lot of fun,” Vasserman says. “I imagine myself living in the 17th century.”
Even walking while wearing the elaborate costumes requires a specific approach. “It is strange,” she says, “walk straight, don’t breathe.”
Event Details
Baroque Music & Fashion takes place May 24 at the Lawrence Park Community Church (2180 Bayview Avenue)
- Find additional event details and tickets [HERE].
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