EMYA presents Daphne Replies: Reimaginging Shakespearean Song

Good Shepherd Chapel in Wallingford, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Seattle WA

Joining the “Seattle Celebrates Shakespeare” festival, the Early Music Youth Academy presents a program of authentic Elizabethan music with a present-day twist. Skilled students aged 10-16 play period instruments including viola da gamba, harp, violins, and lute. Led by director Shulamit Kleinerman on Renaissance violin, with guest vocal soloists, the group performs exhilarating dance tunes, ethereal instrumental consorts, and some of the prettiest song melodies ever written, direct from Shakespeare’s stage.

But we bring a modern eye to the original lyrics of romance and myth. Men and gods pursuing fair maidens? Well, we’ve added original verses of our own. After four centuries of being sung about and sung to, praised and entreated and condemned, each of these heroines finally gets a chance to speak for herself.

This one-hour concert is open to the public, and all ages are welcome. There is no admission charge, but free-will donations at the door are gladly accepted -- suggested $5 youth, $10-25 adult.