Mark Zaki

Putting a bow on it 🎀 - last Messiah of ’25 with Fantastic band and choir, amazing soloists, enthusiastic audiences, and just an all-around great time.

Despite performing while hosting a kidney stone (10/10 do not recommend, although this too shall come to pass), it was a week full of great music-making with good friends and colleagues, virtual martinis, excellent Chinese food, and one very dedicated emotional-support oboist reminiscing about 16-hour car rides in summers past ❤️.

Honestly, not a bad way to show ’25 the door.

But not yet. Next up, Charpentier!

#

New record streaming on Feb 6 with .zaki.mezzo

Brandywining and dining with Brandywine Baroque this week in Delaware. Fantastic band, and some sublime offerings from Handel Op 6 (three concerti grossi - my absolute faves) and some vocal goodies from Laura Heimes and Tony Boutté. Messiah can wait until next week…

This weekend’s concerts with Tempesta di Mare in Philadelphia were absolutely amazing! The program, “Hidden Virtuosas: Agata’s Cantata,” showcased music composed by and for women at the Venetian Ospedali in the early 18th century. This rarely heard and mostly forgotten music is simply gorgeous, and the performance was sublime! I am thrilled to have been a part of this experience — gratitude to Gwyn and Richard for putting this all together (and having me along) - and kudos to all!