San Francisco’s Palace of the Legion of Honor partners with the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music for a live concert by Musica Pacifica, San Francisco’s sizzling baroque ensemble, consisting of Judith Linsenberg, recorders; Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin; Shirley Hunt, cello/viola da gamba; and Charles Sherman, harpsichord.

This concert (free with museum admission) will take place on September 11, 2011 at 12:00pm and is held in conjunction with the exhibition, Dutch and Flemish Masterworks from the Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection (July 9, 2011 – October 2, 2011).  The program is free after museum admission. Seating is limited and first come, first served, and is held in the Rodin Gallery (Gallery 10), at the Palace of the Legion of Honor, 100 34th avenue, San Francisco.

The group will perform a program of works by Jacob van Eyck (1589-1659), Nicolao a Kempis (1600-1676), Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621), Philippe van Wichel (1641-1673), Carolus Hacquart (1640-1701), Tarquinio Merula (1594-1665), Johannes Schenck (1660-1725), and Johann Jakob Walther (1650-1725).

One of the finest collections of 17th-century Dutch Old Masters belongs not to a museum, but to Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo, who have been called “the most important collectors you’ve never heard of.” Masterworks from this collection are constantly sought-after for American and international exhibitions. The selection of paintings includes premier examples of quintessentially Dutch subjects—from portraits and still lifes to landscapes and charming scenes of everyday life. Collectively these works chronicle a 17th-century Holland that served as a model for early American society and culture.

Musica Pacifica has, since its founding in 1990, become widely recognized as one of America’s premier baroque ensembles, lauded for both the dazzling virtuosity and the warm expressiveness of its performances. They have been described by the press as “some of the finest baroque musicians in America” (American Record Guide) and “among the best in the world” (Alte Musik Aktuell). At home in the Bay area, the artists perform with Philharmonia Baroque and American Bach Soloists and appear with many other prominent early music ensembles nationally and abroad.

Musica Pacifica has recently announced that cellist/violist da gamba Shirley Hunt has joined the ensemble. Hunt performs regularly as a member of Agave Baroque and with such groups as Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, the American Bach Soloists, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Musica Angelica, Archetti, and Bach Collegium San Diego. She also performs jazz and contemporary works with the new music ensemble AnyWhen, and has been featured on numerous pop/rock albums and film scores for major motion pictures.

Sparks fly when these high-energy performers get together! Musica Pacifica combines world-class musicianship with a spirited and communicative performing style and brings exuberant vitality to the intimate chamber music of the Baroque.