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Formed in 1997 by Miranda Loud, the Rialto Ensemble is dedicated to cross-disciplinary collaboration in concert programming, with an emphasis on presenting music of the baroque era on period instruments. Through provocative and illuminating combinations of drama, dance, imagery and music, the group has steadily attracted a more diverse audience for baroque music, of which people of many ages and interests experience the glorious capabilities of human spirit, imagination and ingenuity. Since 1997, the Rialto Ensemble has performed in and around New York City and Boston, performing on the Nour Foundation Series, Music at St. James’, at Sarah Lawrence College, the Goethe Institute in New York, the Trinity Wall Street Noonday Series, at the Boston Early Music Festival, Music at St. Peter’s and most recently, on the Rialto Arts series which aims to bring environmental awareness together with concert production. In 2004, the Rialto Ensemble was touted as one of the top early music ensembles in the U.S. and included on the Early Music America Star-Spangled Season.

The imagination is not a State: it is the Human existence itself.
- William Blake

	about \| programming \| audience comments \| contact

	*About the Ensemble*
	Formed in 1997 by Miranda Loud, the Rialto Ensemble is dedicated to cross-disciplinary collaboration in concert programming, with an emphasis on presenting music of the baroque era on period instruments. Through provocative and illuminating combinations of drama, dance, imagery and music, the group has steadily attracted a more diverse audience for baroque music, of which people of many ages and interests experience the glorious capabilities of human spirit, imagination and ingenuity. Since 1997, the Rialto Ensemble has performed in and around New York City and Boston, performing on the Nour Foundation Series, Music at St. James’, at Sarah Lawrence College, the Goethe Institute in New York, the Trinity Wall Street Noonday Series, at the Boston Early Music Festival, Music at St. Peter’s and most recently, on the Rialto Arts series which aims to bring environmental awareness together with concert production. In 2004, the Rialto Ensemble was touted as one of the top early music ensembles in the U.S. and included on the Early Music America Star-Spangled Season. The imagination is not a State: it is the Human existence itself. - William Blake
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	*Programming*
		A Voyage Along the Grand Canal Venice in Word, Image and Music
	The Ensemble performs chamber and vocal music of Venetian composers before a gradually changing tableau of paintings and photographs of the magical city. Excerpts from the letters, novels and memoirs of famous writers and artists who have visited Venice intertwine with the music of Cavalli, Caldara, Kapsberger, Monteverdi, Merula, Strozzi, Vitali and Vivaldi. (for a:soprano, countertenor, tenor, theorbo, lirone, cello, harpsichord and actor, with slides and supertitles, or b: two soprani, countertenor, theorbo, cello, harpsichord, two violins and actor, with slides and supertitles)

		The Many Faces of Love Duets from Handel's Operas of Love won, lost, and everything in between with readings from literary lovers
	The Rialto Ensemble presents a sumptuous literary and musical feast on the universal theme....duets and solos from Ariodante, Flavio, Ottone, Rinaldo, Floridante, and Semele, with readings from the letters of Virginia Woolf, Sherwood Anderson, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson, Winston Churchill, Simone de Beauvoir, and others, expressing the complexities and beauties of l’Amour. (for string quintet, harpsichord, soprano and countertenor/baritone, and two actors) “Join the Rialto Ensemble for an evening of romantic duets and solos..” (Boston Globe Calendar Choice, February 17, 2001)

		The Soul of the Night Music of Evening, Night and the Dawn with readings from Chet Raymo's essays on the night sky and projections from the Hubble telescope
	The Rialto Ensemble presents a sumptuous literary and musical feast on the universal theme....duets and solos from Ariodante, Flavio, Ottone, Rinaldo, Floridante, and Semele, with readings from the letters of Virginia Woolf, Sherwood Anderson, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson, Winston Churchill, Simone de Beauvoir, and others, expressing the complexities and beauties of l’Amour. (for string quintet, harpsichord, soprano and countertenor/baritone, and two actors) “Join the Rialto Ensemble for an evening of romantic duets and solos..” (Boston Globe Calendar Choice, February 17, 2001)
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	*Audience Comments*

	De Profundis
	“De Profundis was truly beautiful, brilliantly executed and very moving. I wish it could be a regular lenten event.” “Attending the concert last Monday night was a privilege. The space was used so creatively with lighting and movement of artists. There was visual and musical texture the likes of which I have never seen outside a theater...the reader was as good as the lead in “Gross Indecency”...” “What an amazing concert you put on last Monday!...We were most impressed by your talent and your vision, to say nothing of your ability to work with so many people...just keep going, and have faith in yourself. That performance shows you what you dreamed up and created. With congratulations..." “I’m writing this note to thank you for the performance of De Profundis. This was the second time I’ve been at it and I hope you will continue to hold it at St. James’ - I can see how it has already a sort of ritual feel, for me - and think it would be a great thing to look forward to on an annual basis.”


	The Soul of the Night Music of Evening, Night, and the Dawn
	"...Last night I and several friends were listening to her (Miranda Loud) and Bruce Rameker sing an unusual multimedia program, which quite delighted us (as well as the applauding audience, many standing). Both Miranda and Bruce, in particular, projected a natural joy [I can't stop using this word, but that's how it was], and while they were both singing, the audience was entirely silent. Magic in Weston!..." What a great concert last night! Wonderful selection of songs and piano pieces (and readings! made me want to get the book!) and lovelyperformances. A really neat experience! The slides were very effective- the whole idea was terrific. And I LOVED having the supertitles - first time I've seen that in a non-operatic setting. What a fine show! And a huge audience! I wanted to introduce my husband and 11-year-old daughter (we had a couple of other people with us as well), but it was so late for the kids that we just had to get them right home instead of going to the reception. But we all enjoyed the evening so much. Congratulations! Please keep me posted on your future performances! P.S. I was so glad you sang "The Astronomers!" My first time to hear it!


	A Voyage Along the Grand Canal Venice in Word, Image and Music
	"...your concert truly was “sumptuous” as advertised, a feast for eye and ear, your readings, paintings and music were so beautifully selected, and as the program progressed, I began to wonder how you would ever end this--it’s too beautiful to end. And of course you found that perfect quote of Nietzche to bring the evening to a close...I love to see these original presentations that break down barriers and enrich the audience’s experience...You’ve obviously created a wonderful esprit among your musicians. In speaking with them afterwards it was clear they were all whole-heartedly committed to this project. (A Voyage Along the Grand Canal - Venice in Word, Image, and Music)." “I’ve been meaning to tell you how much I enjoyed the concert last Saturday. The Poppea duet was the absolute high-point for me, as it seemed to be for the rest of the audience, judging from the applause.”
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	*Contact*
	e-mail
	Rialto Ensemble 138 Spruce Street Watertown, MA 02472