Sympathy Towards a Soldier: The Music and Death of Major John André

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The Publick Pleasure

Music, Spoken Word & Storytelling

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SYMPATHY TOWARDS A SOLDIER:

The Music and Death of Major John André

Friday, Sept 19th at 7pm

Gloria Dei, Old Swedes' Church • 916 S Swanson St, Philadelphia PA 19147

Tickets: $30 general, $15 student with ID

During the British occupation of Philadelphia, Major John André was a favorite among tory young ladies and well loved by his peers. An accomplished flutist and artist, Major André organized the opulent Meschianza celebration for General Wm Howe that scandalized the city's beleaguered citizens. The celebration included music on barges in the Delaware, a joust, feasting and a candlelit ball. Within two years of the Meschianza, Major André was arrested for espionage in league with Benedict Arnold. Fearing an ignominius death by hanging, Major André begged General Washington to have "sympathy towards a soldier" and grant him death by firing squad. In this concert we'll explore the musical life and ungentlemanly death of this "man of honor" with readings from contemporay letters, diaries and newspapers, and music of the British occupation. Music performed on period instruments, in the interpretive style of the 18th c.

Details

Run Time: 90 mins

Ticket Price: $30

Venue: Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church
Dates: September 19, 2025

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September 19, 2025 7.00pm

916 S Swanson St

General Admission: $30

About the Artist

The Publick Pleasure is dedicated to the research and presentation of America’s early concert life (c. 1750 - 1850) with a special focus on Philadelphia and the Mid-Atlantic Region. The ensemble’s name derives from an 18th century newspaper ad for a concert in Philadelphia where all accommodations were made “for the publick pleasure.” Researcher & Artistic Director, Eve Miller has presented talks and concerts on the musical life of Philadelphia with Tempesta di Mare (Philadelphia’s Baroque Orchestra), the Main Line Early Music Series, and at the Museum of the American Revolution. The Publick Pleasure is made up of Philadelphia’s finest performers of historically informed performance practice. This means that rather than hearing a modern interpretation of 18th century music, the musicians present an interpretation much as it would have been heard in the eighteenth century, on historically appropriate instruments.

Artistic Director of The Publick Pleasure, baroque cellist and music historian Eve Miller, began researching the history and musical content of Philadelphia’s early concert life during the midst of the COVID pandemic lockdown. Initially the research was a way to fill the long hours without concerts and camaraderie, but it has since become her passion. Eve continues her research and is currently developing a program highlighting the personal musical tastes of Bejamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington called "Manifest Delight" for the Main Line Early Music Series 2025-2026 Season. Eve is presenting original research into the French musician Henri Capron for the Cornell Center for Early Keyboards "Forte|Piano 2025" conference at Cornell University in August 2025.

Accessibility & Content Considerations

Contact the Fringe Festival Box Office for up to date accessibility information.

This event is appropriate for ages 13+

This concert will include spoken references to war, death, and execution.

Covid-19 Safety policy

This event does not require masks to be worn