Consort to play ‘February Afternoon’ concert

The Spencer Consort will play “A Concert for a February Afternoon” at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Spencer Museum of Art’s Central Court.

The performance will include a musical tribute to George Washington, whose birthday is Saturday, and European works intended for court, church and salon.

The Spencer Consort will present songs written in honor of Washington and his wife and instrumental selections written about him or dances performed in his presence.

The concert also will include a flute sonata by French composer Michel Corrette (1709-1795), excerpts from the Scherzi musicali by Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643), and two selections by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): the Trio Sonata in G Major, BWV 1039 for two flutes and basso continuo, and an aria and recitative from Cantata No. 78.

The Spencer Consort performs on period instruments such as those in use during the 18th century. Musicians involved in the concert include: Joy Laird, a baroque flutist who has a private teaching studio in Lawrence; baroque flutist John Boulton, KU flute professor; tenor Hugo Vera, a doctoral student at KU; guitarist Walter Clark, KU associate professor of musicology; Elizabeth Egbert Berghout, assistant professor of organ and carilloneur at KU; and baroque cellist Paul Laird, KU associate professor of musicology.

The concert is free and open to the public.