On Nov. 14th & 16th, 2025, the Baroque Symphony Orchestra of New Jersey
opened the season with the 2nd of their "Musical Box" inspired series at
the Morris Museums' Bickford Theater. This seasons program highlighted
the music of Giuseppe Verdi, juxtaposing live performances of three
selections by three different, 19th century cylinder musical boxes from
the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection.

The first instrument was made by Nicole Freres of Geneva, Switzerland,
ca. 1862 (ID# 2003.18.506) which then performed "Stride la Vampa", an
aria from Il Trovatore. That was followed by the BSONJ with compelling
performance by mezzo soprano, Diane Fox of that same piece.

Second to come forward was an "Organo, Mandoline Bass Piccolo"
cylinder box by David Langdorff, also from Geneva and dating from about
1861 (ID# 2003.18.602), performing "Mira di Acerbe lagrime", from
Il Trovatore, a well-known duet from act IV which premiered in 1853.

The third instrument to be introduced was a "Quatour" (four voices)
cylinder box made by Gueissaz Fils & Cie., of L'Auberson, Switzerland,
c1890 (ID# 2003.18.625), which performed the "Finale" from Rigoletto
(premiered in 1851), followed by an outstanding quartette of singers,
in four voices: Timothy Maureen Cole (Soprano), Dimitri Zigrino (Tenor),
Jason Adamo (Bass) and Diane Fox (Mezzo soprano), performing "Bella
figlia dell'amore".

We've created a short video of this "Finale" so that you can see how
the presentation and performance took place. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV80a4f0uFA 

Jere Ryder - Conservator, Guinness Collection
Morris Museum, Morristown, New Jersey
https://morrismuseum.org/ 
jryder@morrismuseum.org.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]

 [ The Nicole Freres performing & projected
 [ https://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/26/01/16/260116_080435_1st%20projection.jpg 

 [ J. Ryder introducing the Nicole Freres
 [ https://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/26/01/16/260116_080435_1st%20intro.jpg 

 [ The "Organo, Mandoline Bass" by D. Langdorff performing
 [ https://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/26/01/16/260116_080435_2nd%20projection.jpg 

 [ "Sublime Harmonie" by Gueissaz Fils & Cie. performing the "Finale" from Rigoletto
 [ https://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/26/01/16/260116_080435_3rd%20box.jpg