The Boston Camerata Performs ‘Liberty Tree, Early Music for the American Soul,’ in Cambridge on Oct. 29

The Boston Camerata, America's preeminent early music ensemble, will perform Liberty Tree: Early Music for the American Soul, featuring songs, and anthems from the founding of the United States. The incisive songs' texts recall the rejection of tyranny and the building of a Republic. Featuring the sounds of flutes, fiddles, fifes, percussion alongside Camerata's voices, the performance will also include the Choral Fellows of Harvard University (Edward Jones, director), young professionals from the Longy School of Music of Bard College, and the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums.

The concert will take place on October 29 at Harvard’s Memorial Church in Cambridge at 4pm. Tickets are $10-$60 and may be purchased at bostoncamerata.org.

This concert will explore the vital and life-affirming sounds of the young Republic, as its citizens sang and played forth their love of freedom and their rejection of tyranny. The rough-hewn sounds of citizen-composers, such as the Boston tanner William Billings or the Vermont tavern-keeper Jeremiah Ingalls, still ring true to our contemporary ears. And Liberty’s attendants—feminists, abolitionists, freed slaves, Boston rascals, and the insolent scallywags of "Yankee Doodle"—all remind us that in our musical roots lies our true strength. These part songs, marches, anthems, jigs, and ballads from early prints and manuscript sources restate our commitment to democracy.

“The positive energy flowing from these early works gives us all a much needed boost in the present times,” comments Camerata Artistic Director, Anne Azéma.

Songs to be performed in ‘Liberty Tree’ include Yankee Doodle, The Boston March, Liberty Tree, The Apple Tree, Rights of Conscience, Jordan, and others.

Liberty Tree: Early Music for the American Soul

October 29, 4pm | Harvard's Memorial Church, Cambridge

Tickets: $10-$60 | bostoncamerata.org