Jupiter Lea Desandre, mezzo Union College

Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM

Orders placed after November 5 will be held at will call.

The famed singer and one of the world’s top early music ensembles, led by lutenist Thomas Dunford, return after their memorable 2023 debut for a program of Baroque arias and instrumental works. The “elegant fire” (New Yorker) of Desandre with Jupiter’s “delightful” (NY Times) playing will have you on the edge of your seat. The NY Times named this program among the top 10 they want to hear this season at Carnegie Hall.

Baroque works of Vivaldi and others.

Sponsored by Gregory Anderson and William Tuthill.

Runtime: 1 hour, no intermission.

Union College, Memorial Chapel
Schenectady, NY

General admission seating. Doors open 45 minutes before the concert. All kids and college students are admitted free at the door.

Jupiter was created in 2018 by lutenist Thomas Dunford, growing from his meeting and friendship with brilliant young musicians of his generation. Their freedom, listening, improvisation and energy allow them to perform a wide range of repertoire with passion, strength and emotion, from Vivaldi to Handel, Couperin and others, as well as original compositions by Thomas Dunford and Douglas Balliett.

Jupiter’s first disc, dedicated to Vivaldi, was released in 2019. Its awards include the Diamant from Opéra Magazine, the Caecilia Prize and an International Classical Music Award. In 2021, Jupiter released “Amazone,” Lea Desandre’s first recital recording, featuring arias from 17th- and 18th-century French and Italian operas. Its third CD, “Eternal Heaven,” dedicated to Handel’s English oratorios, followed in 2022. In 2025, Jupiter released “Songs of Passion,” featuring music by John Dowland and Henry Purcell.

The Franco-Italian mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre was named Female Singer of the Year by Opus Klassik in 2022 and received the Prix de la Critique in 2024. She has appeared at venues including the Opéra National de Paris, Salzburg Festival, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House and Walt Disney Concert Hall.