The stage was set. The sky was clear, the shade refreshing, and the light breeze carried the sounds of the Great Basin Baroque through the open-air amphitheater of the Sprague Branch Library. 

Baroque is a type of music originating in 17th-century Rome and Italy and then spreading to most of Europe. The style is characterized by exaggerated motion and easily interpreted detail producing drama, tension, exuberance and grandeur. This style isn’t limited to music and is based in sculpture, painting, architecture, literature, dance and theatre.

The Great Basin Baroque is a trio consisting of Lisa Chaufty, who plays the recorder, Job Salazar Fonseca on the violin, and Loren Carle playing the harpsichord. 

 “The way we’re setting up our organization is kinda fluid, like a lot of people can come play depending on the music we wanna do,” said Carle.  It may be a trio now, but the musicians and instruments can come or leave the group at the drop of a hat. 

He added, “The name was my idea, but we’re all kinda working together. It’s a collective, in a way. I’m kinda taking responsibility for organizing the venue, getting the keyboard I’m using, scheduling people for rehearsals, that sort of stuff, but really that could fall into whoever’s hands at any time.”

The group displayed their talents in a dizzying symphony of pieces from the 16th and 17th century. Their lineup included a few works from Dario Castello, who was an Italian composer and instrumentalist that worked in Venice. There was also a couple from Girolamo Frescobaldi, a musician from Ferrara and one of the most important composers of keyboard music in the early Baroque periods. Overall, the music type deeply evoked the idea of a happy scene in a Shakespearean play. 

“Baroque music or Renaissance music — or early music, as some people say — it’s so much fun. The sound world is so fun. The harpsichord is really fun to play with, the tuning of the instrument, there’s definitely a historic tuning system. It’s kind of a way of finding something in the classical music world,” Carle said. 

As for musicians interested in playing Baroque, he suggests, “Keep practicing. There’s no way around that. You just gotta keep at it, let it be your passion. Don’t let anyone tell you [that] you can’t…more power to you. Baroque players in particular? Come and find us. Come find more Baroque players, come to the dark side, it’s really fun over here.”

Great Basin Baroque is a local group, as is every artist involved in the Sounds of Summer concert series the Sprague City Library presents through late August. The events are free to the public on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Bob Berets, an associate librarian at Sprague Branch said, “It’s highlighting local music talents.” The library is showcasing community music, essentially bringing the neighborhood together and creating buzz for music groups. The series has been ongoing for a decade. Musicians interested in playing next summer can contact the City Library on their website.