Artists at Albatross Reach

Though salons in their historical form have all but disappeared from modern society, they are making a comeback on the Mendonoma coast, thanks to “Artists at Albatross Reach,” a renowned Chamber Music group coming to the Coleman Auditorium at Gualala Arts Center on Sunday, March 13, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $5 more day of performance, and youth 7-17 are, as always, free and welcome.

“Artists at Albatross Reach” derives its name from the eponymous street on The Sea Ranch, on which mezzo-soprano Jennifer Beattie’s family owns a home. Joining Ms. Beattie is co-founder and pianist Adam Marks and their friend and frequent collaborator Matt Albert on violin and viola.

As a duo, or with any number of their musical peers, the artists have entertained local audiences for several years with numerous salon-style performances, both in private homes and at the Gualala Arts Center, where they performed last year over Memorial Day Weekend. “Salons are the most intimate of concert experiences,” says Beattie, “designed to encourage relaxed dialogue, foster new thought, and forge meaningful relationships between artists and audience.”

Commonplace in the 17th and 18th centuries, salons were hosted in grand private homes to serve as a gathering place in which to hear music, discuss literature, or recite poetry, without the polish and formality of a concert hall or opera house performance. “Our salons are structured with equal parts energy and entropy,” adds Marks.

Showcasing the work of Johannes Brahms, David Lang and John Adams, among others, the diverse program for piano, voice and strings runs the gamut from classical standards to rarely-heard gems. “Artists at Albatross Reach” will be the West Coast premiere of Rachel Peters’ “Ethel Smyth Plays Golf In Limbo,” which was composed specifically for Beattie and Marks, and the program will be rounded out by French choreographer – not composer – Thierry De May’s piece, “Table Music,” in which the artists set down their respective instruments and entertain both visually and aurally.

Tickets

Tickets are $25 Advance, $5 more day of performance; youth 7-17 admitted free.

For advance purchase, visit Brown Paper Tickets. To purchase in person,
visit the Gualala Arts Center or Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.