Performers
Bethany Horst, soprano
Julie Baumgartel, baroque violin
Andrew Chung, baroque violin
Derek Conrod, natural horn
Borys Medicky, harpsichord
Margaret Gay, baroque cello
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Venue
Revival House
70 Brunswick St
Stratford, ON
SUNDAY 28 MAY 2023
Upon having his home burned down by unsatisfied patients, eye surgeon John Taylor hit the road going town to town in something like an eye surgery medicine show. With an unerring instinct for self-promotion his social standing grew until the self-styled “Chevalier” became official eye surgeon to George II, 30 percent success rate notwithstanding.
As his notoriety grew, so too did the number of botched surgeries in his wake. Two of his more notable patients were J. S. Bach and G. F. Handel. Each received very speculative cataract surgery and each ended their days without the use of their eyes.
On period instruments, the INNERchamber Ensemble follows John Taylor’s path through Europe at the dawning of the age of modern medicine.
Program
Jagen ist die Lust der Götter from Cantata BWV 208 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Sonata No. 2 BWV 1015 for Violin and Obbligato Harpsichord by Johann Sebastian Bach
Hort, ihr Augen from BWV 98 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Ich will auch mit gebroch'nen Augen, from Cantata BWV 125 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Trio Sonata Op. 2, No 4 HWV 389 by George Frideric Handel
Total Eclipse, from Samson HWV 57 by George Frideric Handel
Love in Her Eyes Sits Playing, from Acis and Galatea HWV 49 by George Frideric Handel
Concerto for Recorder (violin), Horn and Continuo by Georg Philipp Telemann
