Arts at the Abbey brings free concerts by locally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists and ensembles to the Abbey Basilica at Belmont Abbey College. The series offers a diverse range of musical programs, from classical guitar and flute and harp to chamber music and vocal performances, providing cultural opportunities for both the college community and the public.
Carolina Pro Musica presents At Home with Burney in London: Music of Handel, Wesley & Bach, featuring bass-baritone Andrew Mahon. The program explores the musical world surrounding famed 18th-century historian Charles Burney, who famously did not have an opportunity to hear the music of J.S. Bach until composer Samuel Wesley played it for him in his own home.
Based in Charlotte, Carolina Pro Musica has promoted music written before 1800 since its founding in 1977, performing with historic instrument copies and in the performance styles of the period. The ensemble has toured internationally and performed with artists from across Europe and has been an artist-in-residence at Belmont Abbey College since 2002.
Canadian-British bass-baritone Andrew Mahon has performed throughout the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, and the United States, specializing in the music of J.S. Bach and other works from the Baroque and classical traditions. His performance career has included appearances with Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and other leading ensembles. Now based in the Charlotte area, Mahon also serves as music director of St. Joseph College Seminary in Western North Carolina.
About Arts at the Abbey:
Arts at the Abbey is made possible in part by The Associated Foundation, Inc. of Belmont, the Monks of Belmont Abbey, private donors, Gaston Arts Council, and the North Carolina Arts Council. The series is supported in part by the Gaston Community Foundation, with assistance from Sam Stowe of Belmont and Karen Hite Jacob, organist for the Abbey Basilica and Belmont Abbey College.
The concerts are free to attend and donations are welcome.
