Join us for a candlelit program that conjures the shadowy musical world of haunted harbors, shipwrecks, and sailor’s lore. Below Deck draws from the rich tradition of maritime music sung aboard tall ships and in dockside taverns during the long 18th century.
Sea shanties—rhythmic, call-and-response work songs—were used to coordinate physical labor aboard sailing vessels, helping sailors haul lines, raise anchors, and pass the time on long and often perilous voyages. These songs were rooted in survival and solidarity at sea, forming a powerful oral tradition among seafarers.
Through dramatic narration and stirring historic songs, this program traces the music of seafaring sailors. With songs that swing between sorrow and celebration, Below Deck captures the soundscape of the sea—its dangers, desires, and enduring legends.
The Empressa Ensemble brings early and rarely heard music to life at the Hammond-Harwood House Museum, where they serve as Ensemble-in-Residence. Their immersive performances connect music with the architecture, culture, and stories of this remarkable 18th-century house.
The program features soprano Elissa Edwards, praised by Gramophone for her “pliant, seductive, free-ranging voice,” alongside guest artists.
Price: $75 | Members: $65