Door County Performance – Midsummer’s Music Festival Presents “A Renaissance Christmas”

The Renaissance Christmas Ensemble, featuring (left to right) Phillip W. Serna, Joel Spears, Stephanie Sheffield, and Gary Berkenstock.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of A Renaissance Christmas, sponsored by Midsummer’s Music Festival and featuring the Chicago Early Music Consort. This season’s production will celebrate the annual holiday concert’s history and future. Favorite selections from the past four years will be performed, as well as many new pieces that artistic director Gary Berkenstock has unearthed from the recesses of various music libraries.

“Given that many of our traditional Christmas carols originate in the 15th and 16th centuries,” Berkenstock explains, “I thought that a series of early music concerts would have unique appeal to Door County audiences.”

One traditional carol, titled “Old Christmas Returned,” celebrates the return of holiday conviviality following the ban of such “excesses” during the English Commonwealth. Another is called “Of Ale” which continues the Consort’s long tradition of performing songs of libation.

A Renaissance Christmas will be presented at Bjorklunden in Baileys Harbor on Friday, December 12 at 5 pm. This fund-raising event for Midsummer’s Music Festival includes dinner by Alexander’s, a silent auction, and concert by the Chicago Early Music Consort. Tickets are $60 per person (tax is included) and advance reservations are required. Reservations can be made at http://www.midsummersmusic.com or by calling 920.854.7088.

Other performances will be held at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay on Saturday, December 13 at 7:30 pm and Birch Creek Music Performance Center (Juniper Hall) in Egg Harbor on Sunday, December 14 at 2 pm. Both of these concerts are part of Midsummer’s Music Festival’s community outreach program. There is a suggested goodwill offering of $10 per adult.