Baroque & Unknown: The Pre-Series Book Club

Ready to dig into the history of unknown composers in advance of the Baroque & Unknown series events? Read in tandem with other local music lovers by exploring excerpts from Anna Beer’s book Sounds and Sweet Airs, highlighting the history of three of our featured women composers. Sounds and Sweet Airs details the lives of composers Francesca Caccini, Barbara Strozzi, Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre as well as Marianna Martines, Fanny Hensel (née Mendelssohn), Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger and Elizabeth Maconchy. We’ll read the book and meet to discuss over snacks and drinks, before the event series kick-off on October 3rd.

Baroque & Unknown is a music education community initiative that aims to celebrate and showcase the works of underrepresented women, and gender marginalized, composers from different musical eras while fostering a deeper connection between music history and vocal empowerment for singers and music lovers in Monterey County. This season we’re highlighting Baroque era composers and curating conversations around musical heritage and why representation matters.