Tonight is the first of two presentations about the upcoming Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 by Ian Capps, host of Hawaii Public Radio’s The Early Muse, at the station’s Atherton Studio, 738 Kaheka Street. Ian’s one-hour program on KHPR airs on Sunday nights at 9 pm and focuses on music before 1700. You probably heard Ian’s voice quite a bit in their latest pledge drive.

Here’s a quote from the HPR’s website on Ian’s background: “Born and raised in London, Ian graduated from Oxford University and worked as an editor and executive for Reuters and other global news organizations, living and working in many different countries over nearly 40 years. He retired in 2001 after 9 years as President and CEO of the New York based PR Newswire. He and his wife, Jeannette Johnson, a native of Hawai’i, met while singing Renaissance music in New York and now sing with the Honolulu Symphony Chorus.

“As an amateur singer, I have been lucky enough to work with outstanding groups in major cities around the world and with many individuals who have moved on to successful musical careers,” adds Ian. “Early on in my travels I discovered that music, as a universal language, is a great introduction to a new society. And that the voice is the easiest instrument to take with you wherever you go.”

Ian and Jeannette have frequently joined the Lutheran Church of Honolulu choir in special musical presentations. He has a lovely tenor voice and has occasionally sung solos while Jeannette sings alto. Both of them will be singing in the Honolulu Monteverdi performances.

Tonight’s talk begins at 7 pm and will be continued on Friday night, Oct. 29th, also at 7 pm. We offered the talks with one preferred seat at either Monteverdi performance for a special price of $75.