Autumn, political intrigue and centuries-old satire will come together in Princeton when the Dryden Ensemble opens its 2026-27 season with Of Pumpkins & Politicians, a free concert Saturday, Nov. 7, at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 50 Cherry Hill Road.
The program explores the connections between music, politics and society in the 17th and early 18th centuries, drawing parallels between the political divisions of the past and those of the present.
Led by artistic director and lutenist Daniel Swenberg, the ensemble will perform works inspired by autumn, political satire and the turbulent political climate of the Baroque era.
The concert takes its inspiration from Musicalische Kürbishütte, a collection of songs by 17th-century German composer Heinrich Albert. The title, which translates roughly to “Musical Pumpkin Hut,” also referred to an idyllic garden where poets gathered to sing, recite poetry and exchange ideas.
From those peaceful autumnal reflections, the program moves into the more contentious world of English politics, featuring music that examines political corruption, partisan rivalries and financial speculation.
For Swenberg, the similarities between the political climate of the Baroque period and today’s political landscape make the music particularly relevant.
“For some time, I have been intrigued by (maybe obsessed with) British politics of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It seems to me that this is a strong case of history rhyming with current events,” Swenberg said. “It was a fiercely partisan time—two political parties intent to win at all costs. Fighting dirty.”
The program features compositions by Johann Krieger, Nicola Matteis, Thomas Mace and Charles Dieupart, along with the premiere of a concerto for oboe, lute, viola da gamba and basso continuo by G. Meusel.
The concert concludes with music reflecting on political corruption and the South Sea Bubble of 1720, a financial crisis fueled by speculation in shares of Britain’s South Sea Company.
Joining Swenberg are Grammy-nominated soprano Nell Snaidas, recorder and Baroque oboist Priscilla Herreid, harpsichordist Caitlyn Koester and violist da gamba Lisa Terry.
Swenberg, a versatile lutenist and guitarist, has performed with major orchestras and early-music ensembles throughout North America and Europe, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and Jordi Savall’s Le Concert des Nations. He has been a faculty member of Juilliard’s Historical Performance program since 2015.
Snaidas, a native of Piscataway, began her professional singing career at age 16 with the New Jersey Opera Theater. The American-Uruguayan soprano has performed throughout Europe and the Americas, specializing in Latin American and Spanish Baroque repertoire. She is also co-artistic director of GEMAS: Early Music of the Americas.
Herreid is artistic director of Piffaro, the Renaissance wind band, and has performed with the Handel + Haydn Society, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra.
Koester has appeared with ensembles including Jupiter Ensemble, Ruckus, ACRONYM, TENET Vocal Artists and Les Délices. Her 2023 recording of Christoph Graupner’s complete sonatas for violin and harpsichord was released by ATMA Classique.
Terry, a longtime member of the Dryden Ensemble and the viol consort Parthenia, serves as principal cellist and viola soloist with Philadelphia’s Tempesta di Mare. Her performance credits include the New York Philharmonic, New York City Opera, Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Opera Lafayette.
The Dryden Ensemble is a nonprofit organization dedicated to performing early music on period instruments, bringing audiences closer to the sounds and musical traditions of earlier centuries.
Admission to Of Pumpkins & Politicians is free, although donations are welcome. For more information, drydenensemble.org.
