Valencia Baryton Project

A string trio with four instruments? A harpsichord hiding behind the cello? Valencia Baryton Project has dedicated itself to the performance of music written for an ancient and little-known instrument, the baryton. A cross between the viol da gamba and lirone, with 10 resonating and plucked strings down the back of the instrument, the baryton gives the traditional string trio an entirely new dimension.

Valencia Baryton Project was formed by colleagues from the opera of the Palau de les Arts and the Orchestre Nationale Montpellier with the vision of performing the nearly 160 works written by Haydn as well as classical and modern composers. At the heart of the ensemble is the traditional formation in trio – baryton, viola, and violoncello – for which Haydn wrote 123 works of outstanding beauty during his time as the court composer for the Prince Esterhazy of Austria.

With Matthew Baker, one of only a handful baryton performers in the world, Valencia Baryton Project have delighted audiences in North, Central and South America as well as Europe. The players will be Matthew Baker and Alex Friedhoff from Valencia, Spain, and violist Brett Walfish, based in Rapid City, joining them for their USA tour.

Casper Chamber Music Society members will be admitted with their season membership.

Co-Sponsored by the Casper Chamber Music Society and The Bon Agency Insurance/Des & Carrie Bennion Family.

Partial funding is from Natrona County School District No. 1, the Wyoming Community Foundation – Casper Area, and the Wyoming Arts Council through the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming Legislature.

Can’t make it to the event? Due to inclement weather, the performance will be streamed LIVE on YouTube, courtesy of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church: