Natick Musicians Celebrate 28 Years of Historical Performances

Natick residents Dan Ryan and Suzanne Stumpf are founders and co-artistic directors of the ensemble, Musicians of the Old Post Road, which has enriched Middlesex County since 1989. Drawing from early music performance culture in Europe, Ryan and Stumpf founded the concert series for their period instrument ensemble in historical New England architecture. The name of the ensemble derives from the Old Post Road, a late 17th-18th century mail route from Boston to New York. Along that route are many well-preserved historical buildings for which live music of that era brilliantly resonates and creates an intimate connection to the past.
Their upcoming performance is in Wayland the first weekend of March. In fact, since the founding season in 1989, the Musicians of the Old Post Road have held an annual concert in Wayland to highlight the acoustics of the First Parish in Wayland.
The ensemble is passionate about performing from manuscripts that have been lost to audiences for centuries and creating innovative programming based around both modern and historical themes as relevant today as they were hundreds of years ago.
The 2016-2017 season is entitled “Musical Migrations” and circumnavigates the way that immigration has been a catalyst for information and cultural sharing. Partnering this season with the Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center, the musicians highlight positive aspects of the 18th century migrations to shed light on current affairs. Representatives from the RIAC community will be on hand at the concerts to share information about the work of the organization. Old Post Road is also accepting donations of craft supplies at the March concerts to benefit RIAC’s constituents.
The March concert is called “Destination London,” featuring soprano Teresa Wakim in a performance of Baroque composers drawn to London to make their mark on this cultural mecca. Performances are scheduled for Friday, March 3, 7:30 pm, at the First Parish in Wayland, 50 Cochituate Rd., Wayland, and a repeat performance on Saturday, March 4, 3 pm, at the Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury St., Boston. For more information, visit oldpostroad.org.