Ensemble Chaconne played at their first Somerville Salon Series event at the Somerville Library East Branch on Thursday, May 19.

By Mina Rose Morales

Ensemble Chaconne performed in Somerville at the public library on Thursday, May 19, for the first time since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The group arrived an hour and 15 minutes before their event started at 7:00 p.m. at the Somerville Public Library East Branch. Branch manager Marita Coombs cleared the room and began setting up for the event while the instrumentalists rehearsed for the event.

Ensemble Chaconne consists of the following three players: Peter H. Bloom, Olav Chris Henriksen, and Carol Lewis. The group was founded on 1985 and have been together for 37 concert seasons. They use replicas of the historical instruments from the 18th century to recreate the original sounds of the time.

The group is like a family, which is why they survived the pandemic. They are managed by Rebecca DeLamotte, who is married to Peter the flutist in the group. Carol, who plays the viola da gamba, is married to Olav, the baroque lute player in the group.

Peter H. Bloom playing the baroque flute during his solo. — Photos by Mina Rose Morales

“It was scary,” said Carol, when referring to the beginning of the pandemic. “It was frightening,” added Peter.

After all their concerts were cancelled during the pandemic, the group kept sane by going over to each other’s yards and playing their instruments. With time, they eventually got invited to play at assisted living centers. They also played for WCTV in Wilmington, which got broadcasted, and participated for the Redeemer Concert Series in Atlanta.

However, the group has not played in Somerville since the pandemic began. Halfway through their performance Peter thanked the audience and said it was good to be back.

Their performance of Glorious Ones: Treasures by the Late Baroque Masters was the first of the Somerville Salon Series taking place at the Somerville East Branch Library. The next Somerville Salon Series concert will be Splendid Century: Gems from the French Court, 1650-1750 on Thursday, June 9, at 7:00 p.m. at the Somerville Central Library. Their last event will be Measure for Measure: The Music of Shakespeare’s Plays on Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the Somerville West Branch Library.

Ensemble Chaconne bowed and thanked the crowd for attending the event, then announced their next performance days for the Somerville Salon Series.