Fayetteville State University presents the Baltimore Consort Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. in the Pate Room at the Headquarters Library in downtown Fayetteville.  

“The Baltimore Consort is an early music group that specializes in music of the 16th century and before,” said Dr. Earnest Lamb, chair of the Department of Performing and Fine Arts at Fayetteville State University. “This particular program features music from Shakespeare’s time.”     

Fayetteville State University has a partnership with the library in which they bring chamber music to the community. This particular performance dovetails perfectly with the upcoming production at FSU. 

“I was interested in bringing the Baltimore Consort here because Fayetteville State University is doing a production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet later on this month on campus,” said Lamb. “I thought this would be a good way to publicize our event on campus but give people an opportunity to hear music from these early instruments that they played during this period of time.” 

Lamb added that some of the actors from Fayetteville State University will perform scenes or monologues from Shakespeare. 

The Baltimore Consort’s arrangement of early music from England, Scotland, France, Italy and Spain speaks to the heart as well as the mind. The group has recorded 14 CDs that have earned them a place on Billboard Magazine’s Top Ten List. The Consort tours all regions of the U.S. Now in its 34th season, the group garners rave reviews across the globe.

FSU offers a Bachelor of Arts in music with a teaching and non-teaching option. The university also has the FSU University Concert Choir that sings all types of music.  

“We do more than just sing spirituals,” said Lamb.  “We have an upcoming concert in December and the choir will sing a piece by Bach in German.” 

Lamb added that their fine arts series is the only comprehensive performing and fine arts program in the city. The fine art series art events, gallery events, national dance artists and nationally acclaimed musical events.     

The goal of the event is to give people an opportunity to hear music from Shakespeare’s time. 

“The library is an intimate space and a good way to extend our fine arts series that we have mainly on campus at Seabrook Auditorium and to bring it out into the community,” said Lamb. “We want people to experience different types of music, make the arts more accessible to people and to learn about what is happening at Fayetteville State University.”    

 The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited so arrive early. For more information call 672-2143.