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Opera for Two

Black Marble

In the 18th century, opera was the pop music of the time, but without CDs and radio and the only way to hear it at home was to play it oneself. Black Marble present a program featuring colorful repertoire for two violins of an operatic sensibility, with a finale of transcriptions of arias from Mozart's famous 'Abduction from the Seraglio'.

The violinists of Black Marble are the co-directors of the internationally acclaimed baroque ensemble, REBEL. The name ‘Black Marble’ derives from the English translation of their last names: Schwarz (German, for black) and Marmer (Dutch, for marble). The duo has performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kendal-on- Hudson Concert Series, Harvard Business School Series, King Manor, Downtown Music at Grace and Midtown Concerts in New York City. in September 2010 Black Marble was featured on WQXR-FM’s ‘violin month’, in an interview and video performance hosted by Jeff Spurgeon. The ensemble aims to explore the rich, virtuosic and rarely performed repertoire written for two violins by Leclair, Telemann, Reger, Spohr and Bartok, amongst others, on instruments and bows appropriate to their respective periods. The husband and wife team perform on equally well-matched Stainer violins dated 1660 and 1668, respectively. 

www.rebelbaroque.com/black_marble

Jörg-Michael Schwarz, violin
Karen Marie Marmer, violin

 

 

Midtown Concerts sponsors lunchtime performances of music of the 18th century and earlier. Ensembles are chosen by a panel of early music specialists from the metropolitan area.

Time: Thursdays, 1:15–2:00 pm
All concerts are free; no tickets or reservations are necessary.

Concerts are in person at St. Malachy's Church, 239 West 49th Street, Manhattan, AND live streamed.