MUSIC

Trium, literally "of three," is a trio of superb sopranos who have dedicated themselves to the exploration and performance of music of three equal voices. On January 22, 2012, they will present Portraits in Miniature. In the tradition of the Renaissance miniature portrait, a tiny detailed devotion to a beloved subject, Trium will explore, luxuriate and celebrate bite-size portions of a variety of periods and styles, from the Notre Dame school in medieval Paris to the sixteenth century Flemish motet, to the English Madrigal style, with a soupcon of turn of the century and contemporary. The concert will take place at the historic Loring-Greenough House, 12 South Street, Jamaica Plain MA, as part of the Sunday Afternoon at the ‘Greenough House parlor concert series.

Meet Trium at afternoon tea following the program.

The Sunday Afternoon at the ‘Greenough House series recreates the atmosphere of 18th and 19th century “musical afternoons” in the 1760 Loring-Greenough House, twice monthly, October to May. Tickets are available at the door: donation $15 ($10 seniors, students and JPTC members). Space is limited; reservations are suggested—call 617-524-3158 or email lghouseconcerts@aim.com.

Trium was founded in 1997 to perform a benefit concert at Emmanuel Church in Boston, but Shannon Larkin, Margaret Johnson, and Susan Trout are well known individually for their work with Handel & Haydn Society, Boston Baroque, and Emmanuel Music. Each of the voices has a distinctly unique quality, and when they come together they make a gloriously blended sound that is even greater than the sum of its parts. Margaret's pure sweet tone and stratospheric range surround each piece with a halo of brilliance. Shannon's clarion soprano weaves in with a shimmer and dips down into mezzo warmth. Susan's brilliantly radiant and richly warm tone adds depth and beauty before carrying its strength to the top of the staff. Whether they are singing a finely tuned dissonant chord in a Renaissance motet or an exquisitely blended unison in a contemporary art song, Trium makes music "of three" sound like so much more.