Spanish Renaissance Cocktail Party Fundraiser In Montclair

MONTCLAIR, NJ — An event at VanVleck House & Gardens will raise funds for Montclair Early Music (MEM), a local nonprofit dedicated to teaching and performing music from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods.

The event, “Espanoleta – a Spanish Renaissance Cocktail Party Fundraiser,” will take place on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. at Van Vleck House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck Street in Montclair. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here.

All proceeds will go to support Montclair Early Music’s children music education program and music ensemble, organizers said.

According to MEM:

“Entertainment at the event will feature performance by Dr. Jason Priset performing Giovanni Kapsperger's pieces for the Theorbo. The Theorgo, an outlandish scale lute, became the rage at Renaissance courts and for the private entertainment of the court of pope Urban VIII Barberini. Kapserger’s extra-ordinary music, notable for its somewhat sometimes wayward and experimental tonality, has been influenced by that other noble Italian experimentalist- Gesualdo and even compared to Monteverdi. It demonstrates that behind the novelty of style of Kapsperger’s music there lies a great and serious composer who knew the rules but particularly how to bend them.”

The nonprofit added:

“Additionally, Markus Gottschlich will play Spanish-inspired jazz. Marcus is a composer, Steinway artist and jazz pianist, who has been involved in jazz festivals and workshops around the United States and internationally. Most recently, he has performed in Porgy & Bess, Vienna, July 2021; Saulkrasti Jazz Festival, Latvia 2021; Arts Garage, Delray Beach, June 2021; Austrian Cultural Forum New York, June 2021; Artist in Residence at The Betsy, Miami Beach, January 2021. He has served as Director of Music at Jazz House Kids/Montclair Jazz Festival and is currently on the Montclair Early Music Board of Directors.”

The event will also include serenades from guitarists, Spanish hors d'oeuvres, Sangria and other beverages, and a silent auction.

• See related article: This Nonprofit Is Going Medieval On Montclair's Music Scene

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