Apollo Music Productions


Saltre - Bigelow Duo

Classical, Renaissance, Medieval Repertoires plus Traditional French, Scottish and Irish Folk Repertoires with Voice, Renaissance Lute, Eleven-String Classical Guitar, Small Harp, Wind and Percussion Instruments

Background:

Saltre-Bigelow Duo: John Marsh Bigelow and Lorraine Hope Saltre have delighted audiences in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan since 1977. They made their formal New York City debut at the Carnegie Recital Hall and won critical acclaim. The New York Times wrote:

"Mr. Bigelow, both as soloist and accompanist, negotiated difficult music with style and security."

"Ms. Saltre's voice has size, power and a lovely piano quality in the higher register..." -- New York Times

The Saltre-Bigelow Duo have performed as soloist and ensemblist with the Monterey Symphony in California, White Mountains Festival Orchestra in New Hampshire, North Country Chorus of Vermont-New Hampshire, Mannes Guitar Ensemble and University of Vermont String Quartet. The Saltre-Bigelow Duo have performed in concert, television and festival appearances for corporate, public and private sponsors with many return engagements.

They have also been music educators at these prestigious Northeast colleges - Middlebury College, University of Vermont, Trinity College, Johnson State College of Vermont, and Franconia College.

Quotes:

"A virtuoso soprano of great warmth of tone and technical facility who handled the microtones with ease and achieved fine emotional effect." -- The Cork Examiner, Cork Ireland

"I thought I was listening to the voices of an angel" -- Helen Hays, First Lady of the American Stage (White Mountain Festival Orchestra performance)

"Mr. Bigelow is a talented and sensitive guitarist. His technique covers a wide range of musical expressions from the English lutenist and Spanish vihuelist of the 16th century up to the classical and contemporary repertoire. I highly appreciate Mr. Bigelow's dedication, talent and musicianship." -- Maestro Julian Orbon noted New York City Composer.

"A voice perfectly suited for either Early music, opera, or art songs ... not limited to one expression." -- Maestro Julian Orbon noted New York City Composer.

Selected Appearances:

  • JAPAN: "World Festival" at Nagasaki's "Holland Village;" Tokyo
  • EUROPEAN TOUR:
    • Nice, France: Private reception for H.R.H. Prince Andrew and officers of NATO ship H.M.S. Brazen
    • Avignon, France: Papal Cathedral (Notre Dame) - Mas with the Papal Cardinal Representative commemorating the former Seat of Avignon
  • World Premier: US commissioned choral work "DUO" by Dr. John Eaton, Indiana University. Written for Ms. Saltre, soloist and the North Country Chorus of Vermont-New Hampshire presented at the Cork International Choral and Folkdance Festival, Cork, Ireland
  • Carnegie Recital Hall Debut, New York City
  • Spanish Institute of New York City
  • Saint Ignatius Church Concert Series, New York City
  • Capitol Hill Restoration Society Benefit Evening, Washington, DC
  • St. Mark's Church - with the Dupont Circle Consortium, Washington, DC
  • Museum of Fine Arts Boston - Arts Benefit Gala, The Boston Company
  • University of Tallahassee, Florida; Middlebury College; University of Vermont
  • Irish Ambassador to Canada, Celtic Roots Festival, Goderich, Ontario

Recordings (Click for expanded descriptions and sample sound clips HERE):

  • "FANTASY" John Bigelow, Soloist: (CD/Cassettes) All-Instrumental recordings of duet and solo pieces for Eleven-string classical guitar, Renaissance lute, small harp of Bach, Dowland, deMilano, O'Carolan, and contemporary works.
  • "INVITATION": (CD/Cassettes) Instrumental and vocal Soli and Duetti of Classical and Traditional works of Handel, Bach, Dowlad, Weiss, Villa-Lobos, Rodrigo including Irish, Scottish and French folk repertoire.
  • "THE FIRST NOWELL" Christmas Album: Medieval to 19th Century Christmas pieces including: instrumental soli, duetti and trio pieces with arrangements for voice, lute or guitar, viola and percussion.

Concert-Festival Programs and Master Artist Lccture-Demonstrations Fees*:

  • $1000-$500 Master Artist Lecture-Demonstration
  • $800-$400 Nonprofit Community Center or Library Performance
  • $2000-$500 Concert and Festival Performances
  • $2000/day School or University Residencies
  • $2000-$1000 Weddings
  • $5000-$2000 Commissions

     *Additional travel and lodging expenses not included

Eleven String Classical Guitar: Altabasso or ArchGuitar (Click for expanded descriptions HERE):

They developed a unique, expanded range eleven-string classical guitar named the "Altabasso or ArchGuitar." It accommodates arrangements which permit fuller realization of repertoire often inaccessible or necessarily compressed on the traditional six-string classical guitar. Pieces originally written for harpsichord, organ, piano, and accompaniments to voice (operatic arias and modern songs) are now realized with greater freedom of expression. They also performs on the Renaissance Lute, Small Harp, wind and percussion instruments to augment programs of specific or varied themes.

Photo: Laurie Swope

Click on the images to view and download higher resolution photographs


For translations into different languages -- Arabic, Chinese, Italian, French, German, Russian, Spanish or others visit the web site: http://babel.altavista.com

Apollo Music Productions

PO Box 200343, Boston, MA 02120

Telephone: 617-731-3257

Email: Jonlorpro@aol.com

Web site: http://www.bigsalt.com

Copyright © 2007 by Apollo Music Productions and Saltre-Bigelow