UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Guest artist and 1974 alumnus Charles Metz will present “Music of the Elizabethan Period” at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, in the Palmer Museum of Art as part of the museum's monthly Art of Music series.
Metz will perform music of the Elizabethan period on an Italian virginal built while Queen Elizabeth I was alive. Attributed to Francesco Poggio, who lived in Florence, Italy, and died in 1634, the pentagonal virginal likely dates from c. 1590, although its exquisite painted decoration is probably from a late 19th-century restoration. In addition to performing music of the period, Metz will also share his fascinating account of finding, researching and restoring this rare historic instrument. Admission is free.
The Art of Music is a monthly music series featuring performers from the Penn State School of Music and the community. For more information, call 814-865-7672 or visit www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.
An accomplished harpsichordist and early music specialist, Metz received his undergraduate degree in piano from Penn State before earning a doctorate in historical performance practice at Washington University in St. Louis. Metz has performed concerts across the United States, including solo recitals at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., and Oberlin Conservatory, and has appeared as guest artist with the Kansas City Symphony, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Ars Antigua Chicago, and the Newberry Consort of Chicago. In addition to his performing activity, he serves on the board of directors of the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis, the Newberry Consort, and Early Music America.