November 27, 2023

The Gift of Parthenia

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the increasing ubiquity of Mariah Carey’s notorious 1994 megahit can only mean one thing: Christmas is approaching fast, and, with it, the joy and/or agony of seasonal giving. Some readers of this blog will […]

February 10, 2023

Long Live Fair Parthenia

Astute readers of this blog may remember a previous installment wherein I urged support for living artists.  That sentiment stands, but since it was first published (November 17, 2021 to be exact) the phase “support living artists” has become rather […]

March 31, 2022

Light Entertainment

You could be forgiven for assuming that a quartet devoted to a renaissance instrument like the viola da gamba might not be a breeding ground for innovative, state-of-the-art methods of presentation.  Parthenia, though, have always explored the possibilities of technology, […]

November 17, 2021

Renaissance Venice and The Center of the Universe

The evidence that Venice was the main center for music publishing and printing during the Renaissance is undeniable. The fact that the combined output of the two main printing houses in Venice exceeded the production of all other music printers […]

October 28, 2021

Boo!

It may beggar belief, but we have entered the pumpkin spice phase of 2021.  Time flies, doesn’t it? The usual accoutrements are by now familiar:  cobwebs, the cherished annual broadcast of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, parties with punch […]

September 30, 2021

Fall Preview & the Return of Parthenia!

“It’s a very busy year.” That’s a direct quote from Lisa Terry regarding Parthenia’s 2021-2022 season.  After reviewing the details with her, I’m inclined to agree—especially considering it will be Parthenia’s first proper season in quite some time. But what […]

April 22, 2021

Crafting a Performance Persona

Story time! Just FYI—if you’d like to read the following section using the voice of Sophia Petrillo we certainly won’t discourage you.  Doing so may well add to the enjoyment, and will work surprisingly well with the theme of this […]

March 16, 2021

If Music Be the Food of Love: Parthenia and Food

“An army marches on its stomach.”  At least, that’s what Napoleon said.  And, given the fact that he was able to conquer most of Europe aided in part by that maxim, it’s likely he knew what he was talking about.  […]

January 25, 2021

A Parthenia Heptalogy: Part Two

A heptalogy (from Greek ἑπτα- hepta-, “seven” and -λογία -logia, “discourse”), also known as a septology, is a compound literary or narrative work that is made up of seven distinct works. This the second part of a heptalogy that will […]

December 22, 2020

A Parthenia Heptalogy: Part One

A heptalogy (from Greek ἑπτα- hepta-, “seven” and -λογία -logia, “discourse”), also known as a septology, is a compound literary or narrative work that is made up of seven distinct works. The “kids today” are used to enjoying their music […]

November 23, 2020

Machers and Mulled Wine

Just in case you hadn’t noticed, Dear Reader, the Christmas season has arrived. In 2020 it may not look or feel precisely as it has in the past, but all of the elements are either present or will manifest soon […]

October 22, 2020

Your Present Plans are Going to Succeed

October 22 is quite possibly the most significant date in the entire history of Parthenia.  It was on this date in 1997 that we officially declared Parthenia a quartet, solidifying the partnership that has defined the group for nearly a […]

Cart