Only in its second year as a collective, Utopia Early Music is geared toward performing historically informed pieces of medieval, Renaissance and baroque music such as the one described above. Although the concept of historically re-creating music compositions may come across as a bit stuffy—and make no mistake, the group is deadly serious about its skills and scholarship—Utopia is also bent on doing so with a sense of whimsy.
The company opens its second season on Halloween weekend with a program celebrating all things eerie, gruesome and macabre. In addition to the Marais piece described above, the concert includes Antonio Soler’s Sonata No. 15 in D minor, Henry Purcell’s Bess of Bedlam and music from The Indian Queen.
Utopia Early Music: What Fright’ning Noise Is This? @ St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 231 E. 100 South, 801-649-8522, Oct. 29, 8 p.m. & Oct, 31, 5 p.m., suggested donation $10-$15. UtopiaEarlyMusic.org.