Early Music Missouri’s 2026–2027 Mainstage concert series opens with an intimate recital of songs and instrumental music from the first quarter of the 19th century for solo voice, pianoforte and the early six-string guitar. Charles Metz returns to our Mainstage concert series with his recently restored 1806 Clementi square pianoforte performing solos by Muzio Clementi (whose company built the instrument) and Wolfgang Mozart. He will be joined by soprano Samantha Arten as well as guitarist Patrick Rafferty, playing a guitar built in the early 19th century. Both Metz and Rafferty will accompany Arten in songs from Scotland, England and Germany that range from ballad arrangements based on traditional tunes to intimate lieder by Franz Schubert. Rafferty will contribute guitar solos by the foremost guitarist/composers of the era, Fernando Sor and Mauro Giuliani. A tantalizing feature of the program will be a set of duos for pianoforte and early guitar by Fernando Carulli, music rarely heard in modern concerts.
The concert will take place on September 13 at 3:00 PM at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (4714 Clifton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63109). Parking, including several handicapped spots, is available on the streets surrounding the church (Clifton, Murdoch, and Locke Avenues). The entrance on the east side of the building is accessible for those with special mobility needs, and includes an elevator. Admission to the concert is $20 (cash, card, or check) with special discounts for students.
All three performers are well-known to Early Music Missouri’s audiences. Both Charles and Samantha contributed to Early Music Missouri’s successful launch with their performances in our earliest seasons. Charles has returned regularly to perform with St. Louis’s best local Early Music musicians, including in a memorable performance of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto 5. Samantha not only sings regularly as a soloist and in Early Music Missouri’s Vocal Ensemble but serves as the organization’s Associate Director. In recent years, Patrick has become the Midwest’s foremost proponent of the early guitar, performing across the region on Renaissance, Baroque and 19th-century guitars, including in many of Early Music Missouri’s ensembles.
Early Music Missouri is the region’s foremost promoter and presenter of Early Music concerts. Its performances feature Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque repertoire performed on period instruments by expert performers from the region and nation.
