Dear Friends,

As we all know, patronage has a profound effect on the arts. This year’s festival explores the musical patronage of the most powerful and long-lived dynasty in Europe, the Habsburg family. From Valladolid to Zagreb, from Ghent to Vienna, their influence was keenly felt throughout their vast territories and beyond, and their musical establishments inspired their rivals to new heights of lavishness as patrons of music. Handel and Haydn, composers with important anniversaries this year, were among the many musicians who enjoyed the patronage of Habsburg rivals. In keeping with our broad range of programmatic offerings, the ensembles on our program continue to come from near and far—indeed, ever farther. The motto plus ultra, Latin for further beyond or further still, was adopted by the Habsburg emperor Charles V as a way of encouraging exploration beyond the boundaries of the world as it was then known. In invoking it, we encourage you—our patrons—to explore music beyond the conventional with us!

Eric Rice, Artistic Director