Harmonies From a Divided Time: A 17th Century Musical Entertainment – Doppie Corde

The Music Committee invites you to travel back with us to the 17th century, where the baroque group DOPPIE CORDE (pronounced “dopee-eh cord-eh”) will share a fascinating program of music from the period surrounding the English Civil War and Restoration (the “divided times” of the program title).

The musicians of Doppie Corde, Hendrik Broekman, Carol Lewis, Mai-Lan Broekman, and Olav Chris Henriksen will perform on the harpsichord, treble and bass violas da gamba (viols), baroque guitar, and a very long-necked lute known as the theorbo. The group’s name is Italian for playing two strings at once (“double stops”), on a stringed instrument. Their program will include music for solo

harpsichord and for baroque guitar as well as a sonata for two viols with continuo. Selections will feature composers John Jenkins, Henry Purcell, Christopher Simpson, August Kuhnel, and dances from two collections by John Playford, English music publisher and composer.

The viola da gamba playing of Carol Lewis has been called “brilliantly florid” and “consistently exquisite.” She is vice president of the Viola da Gamba Society – New England. Viol player Mai-Lan Broekman studied cello at the Eastman School of Music and viola da gamba at the Longy School of Music. She is a frequent ensemble player in the Boston area. Harpsichord player Hendrik Broekman studied at the Mannes College of Music. He is both a maker and player of keyboard instruments and is currently the technical director for Hubbard Harpsichords, Inc. in Wayland. Olav Chris Henriksen (theorbo, baroque guitar) has been acclaimed throughout Europe and North America as a soloist on lute, theorbo, and early guitars. He holds a soloist diploma from the Schola Cantorum in Basel, Switzerland and has played and taught at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts as well as at colleges in Boston and abroad.