The Wizard of Odds and Ends of Head Tide, Alna is the venue and Saturday, June 1 the date for a free concert featuring Gerry Flanagan on classical lute.

Music will be presented at 3 p.m. for solo baroque lute and theorbo, two popular string instruments focusing on French music from the time of Louis XIV. Join Gerry Flanagan, classical lute artist, as he presents a 40-minute concert at the Wizards classical antique barn in Head Tide.

Program Summary, Music for solo baroque lute and theorbo, focused on French music from the time of Louis XIV. During this time, the lute was the king of the instruments. The French court musicians developed a refined repertory that is very open and airy, the style brise or “broken style.”  This program may sound quite different than what most of us have come to expect of the lute.

Gerry Flanagan began studying the lute five years ago with Freeport lutenist Tim Burris. When Gerry retired to Maine, he decided it was finally time to get serious about the classical guitar he had played casually for many years. Realizing that much of the music he wanted to play was actually written for lute, he began to look around for a lute teacher and discovered Tim living relatively nearby. He put the guitar aside and has been seriously pursuing the lute even since. Gerry has been attending American Lute Society conferences and has played in master classes for world renowned teachers, as well as performed pieces before the whole lute society.

In order to play more of the early music repertoire, Gerry commissioned a lute builder in France to construct a reproduction of a theorbo; a large lute from around the year 1600 with bass strings that are over 5 feet long. He also plays modern trumpet and performs with the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra and the Bowdoin College Concert Band.

The Wizard of Odds and Ends is located at the head of the Sheepscot River in upper Alna at 45 Head Tide Road. Proceed on Route 218, Federal Street, out of Wiscasset, eight- plus miles, through Alna. Go past The Alna Store on the right, up the hill look for sign, beautiful red house, turn right. Cross the Headtide Bridge and enjoy the most unknown area in Midcoast Maine, Head Tide. The Wizard and his barn are on the right. Park along by the shop or on 194. Don’t forget, admission is free!

For additional information: Giova@wiscasset.net or 882-9628