with actor Paul Hecht
and mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek

In honor of Shakespeare’s birthday, the Forum celebrates the joyous links between English Renaissance poetry and music, with readings from Shakespeare and Donne by actor Paul Hecht, songs by mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek, and viol music by Parthenia. Hailed by The New Yorker as “one of the brightest lights in New York’s early-music scene,” Parthenia presents this program of fantasias, consort songs, dances, and instrumental airs by William Byrd, Anthony Holborne, John Dowland, Tobias Hume, and Thomas Morley.

Performer Bios

Parthenia: A Consort of Viols
Beverly Au, Lawrence Lipnik, Rosamund Morley, and Lisa Terry

Known for its remarkable sense of ensemble, Parthenia explores the extraordinary repertory for viols from Tudor England to the court of Versailles and beyond. It is presented in concerts across America, and produces its own lively and distinguished concert series at Corpus Christi Church in New York City, collaborating regularly with the world's foremost early music specialists. Parthenia has been featured on radio and television and in festivals and series as wide ranging as Music Before 1800, Maverick Concerts, and the Regensburg Tage Alter Musik.

In addition to its popular touring program, “When Music & Sweet Poetry Agree,” Parthenia's inventive programs have included the complete viol fantasies of Henry Purcell at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the complete instrumental works of Robert Parsons at Columbia's Miller Theatre. The ensemble performs often at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and appeared in conjunction with the exhibition "Searching for Shakespeare" at the Yale Center for British Art. Its recordings include Les Amours de Mai, with soprano Julianne Baird and Renaissance violinist Robert Mealy, Within the Labyrinth, Parthenia Sampler, A Reliquary for William Blake, and Trumpet after Dark with jazz trumpeter Randy Sandke.

Paul Hecht

Paul Hecht made his debut as the Player in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead (Tony nomination 1968). Other Broadway appearances include Night & Day with Maggie Smith and Invention of Love (Tom Stoppard), 1776 (original company), The Rothschilds, Shaw's Caesar & Cleopatra, and Pirandello's Henry IV (both with Rex Harrison). Off Broadway he has appeared in Harold Pinter's Moonlight, Neil Simon's London Suite, the title role in Pirandello's Henry IV (Obie award 1990), Humble Boy at the Manhattan Theater Club, and also in the National Theatre of Great Britain tour. On television, he has appeared as Charles in Kate & Allie and several unsavory characters in Law and Order, plus most of the daytime soaps. He has appeared in films with Bette Davis, Jane Fonda, and Jeremy Irons, among others.

Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek

In addition to her acclaim as a member of the reknown vocal quartet Anonymous 4, Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek is a versatile and accomplished soloist, performing music from Bach to Babbitt. Recent solo work has included Bach cantatas with The Washington Bach Consort DC and the Bach Sinfonia DC, as well as Bach and Handel arias at Carmel Bach Festival with Bruno Weill. She has performed with The Folger Consort at the National Cathedral DC, Riverside Choral Society NYC, Ars Musica New Jersey, The Capitol Hill Chorale, and Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia. As a voice teacher, Ms. Horner-Kwiatek has thriving studios in NYC and DC and is a member of the faculty at Trevor Conservatory of Music and the annual choral workshop Musica Deo Sacra in DC. She gives masterclasses throughout the US as well as ensemble technique workshops.