Queer Baroque
Celebrate Pride month with classical music
In celebration of Pride month 2023, countertenor Joe Levy explores the relationship between Classical music and the LGBTQIA+ community with ‘Queer Baroque’. Accompanied on the piano by Peter Adcock, Joe is performing two concerts at St Nicholas’ Priory, Exeter’s oldest building, on 9th and 23rd June 2023 at 7.30pm.
With a focus on the Baroque period, the concerts will reveal not only queer composers of the time (Handel, Lully), but also how music from other artists have become part of LGBTQIA+ history and culture. Baroque culture can often challenge our understanding of historical attitudes towards gender and sexuality, whether that be through fashion or through the personal histories of people at the time. ‘Queer Baroque’ will attempt to illuminate this, providing valuable insight on how we can celebrate queer artists and their contribution to society today.
ABOUT PETER ADCOCK
Peter has learnt and performed a broad repertoire of solo, chamber and concerto music from Renaissance to Contemporary music, via Baroque, Classical and Romantic-period popular classics and hidden gems. As well as solo and chamber recitals, he has performed several piano concertos by Mozart and Beethoven. He also gives lecture recitals and masterclasses. In 2009, he recorded a C.D. of his favourite piano pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Liszt and Debussy, entitled ‘Piano Perambulations’, and has plans to record Bach’s inspirational milestone on the piano, Goldberg Variations.
Peter performs internationally with instrumentalists including Crispian Steele-Perkins, Katy Woolley, and David Elton; singers including international opera stars; choirs including the English Mozart Singers and Exeter Festival Chorus; and with directors from Sir David Willcocks to Nigel Perrin. He regularly works with students and professionals in lessons, rehearsals, exams, festivals, concerts, and recordings.