Monday, May 5 at 7:00 PM at Mason United Methodist Church in Tacoma:                  — *The MUSIQUE DE LA CHAMBRE of LOUIS XIV* — /        André Danican Philidor L'Aisné • Marin Marais//• //Robert De Visée// // Jacquet de La Guerre • Francesco Corbetta • //Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe/             · Caroline Nicolas, viola da gamba             · William Simms, baroque guitar             · Jeffrey Cohan, baroque flute The ever present music at the court of Louis XIV reflected deep emotional and spiritual aspects of the monarch and his contemporaries which resonates with us today, but it also served as a powerful political tool affirming the king's authority, prestige and status in France and internationally. Louis XIV’s *Le Musique de la Chambre*, which he had inherited from François I in the early 16th century, generated much of the almost constant musical activity, both on a grand scale including vocalists, and in extremely intimate settings with just a few musicians, as is to be the focus in this program, which features the illustrious soloist/composers of the court. *The French musical perspective* emulated reason and moderation, with sensory perception serving comprehension. French musicians aspired to thrill the senses via the intellect, in a continual search for grace and elegance. Dance was viewed as the consummate expression of the mastery of body and mind and the epitome of aristocratic art, and as Susie Napper mentioned at one of our recent programs, Louis XIV took daily dance lessons for 20 years alongside his frequent guitar lessons. Every French court and church musician reflected their determination to depict refinement and true sentiments, while dispensing with excessive turbulence and contrast. All of this contrasted greatly with the Italian focus on the direct expression of emotions via their virtuoso and flamboyant approach, which certainly was admired in some circles in France.              ✷  ✣  ✷  ✣  ✷  ✣  ✷ ***Mason United Methodist Church*    2710 North Madison Street in Tacoma www.salishseafestival.org/tacoma <http://www.salishseafestival.org/tacoma>      — Suggested donation $20 to $30 (a free will offering; pay as you wish) — 18 and under free              ✷  ✣  ✷  ✣  ✷  ✣  ✷ Louis XIV in Tacoma Noted for her “eloquent artistry and rich, vibrant sound” (Gainesville Times), viola da gambist *CAROLINE NICOLAS* has been praised as “one of the finest gambists working today” (Gotham Early Music Scene). Ensembles she has worked with include the English Concert, Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Mercury Chamber Orchestra, Ars Lyrica Houston, Juilliard Baroque, Harmonia Stellarum, Philharmonia Baroque, Pacific MusicWorks, Kammerorchester Basel, New World Symphony, and Sinfonieorchester Liechtenstein. Notable venues include the KKL Luzern, Berliner Philharmonie, Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Benaroya Hall. Distinctions include having been selected as a fellow of The English Concert in America, an award given to young musicians “who appear likely to make significant contributions to the field of early music.”  More information is available at www.carolinenicolas.com. * WILLIAM SIMMS*, lute, theorbo & guitar, appears regularly with the Bach Sinfonia and performs with Apollo's Fire, Harmonious Blacksmith, Olde Friends Concert Artists and the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado. He has performed numerous operas, canatatas and oratorios with such ensembles as Cleveland Opera, the Baltimore Consort, Opera Lafayette, Opera Vivente, American Opera Theatre and the Washington National Opera. Venues include The National Cathedral, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, The Library of Congress, The Corcoran Gallery, Wolftrap and The Kennedy Center. He serves on the faculties of Towson University, Mt. St. Mary's University, Interlochen Arts Camp as well as Hood College, where he is founder and director of the Hood College Early Music Ensemble. He has recorded for the Dorian, Centaur and Eclectra labels. Your donations alone enable this project entirely, are applied to all 2025 concerts equally and are gratefully accepted at https://www.salishseafestival.org/donate.html. Thank you!