Paul O’Dette and Ronn McFarlane

Boston Early Music Festival Series
The Morgan marks its tenth season of bringing world-class performers of early music to New York, in collaboration with the Boston Early Music Festival.

For Two Lutes: Virtuoso Duets from Italy and England

While beloved in the Renaissance as a solo instrument, the finest lutenists often enjoyed the chance to double their pleasure in duets. Trading passages back and forth, the dueling lutenists would challenge each other with increasingly dazzling feats of virtuosity. Two of today’s finest lutenists, Ronn McFarlane and BEMF’s own Artistic Co-Director Paul O’Dette, take up this thrilling tradition in a duo recital showcasing works from Italy and England where the lute duet achieved its greatest heights. These sought-after lutenists, both Grammy nominees for their solo recordings, come together for a program of lyrically beautiful and intricately ornamented music by Terzi, Galilei, Piccinini, Johnson, Danyel, and others.