Past & Present

Chamber Music at the Scarab Club is thrilled to present the opening concert of its 27th season at Detroit’s historic Scarab Club. This unique program is full of variety, and features the Baroque Ensemble L’Invenzione, as well as trombonist Kenneth Thompkins and percussionist Gwen Dease.

L’Invenzione’s portion of the program, In the Shadow of Vesuvius, will include works by Scarlatti, Fiorenza and Mancini, all prominent composers in 18th century Naples, Italy. Founded in 2016, L’Invenzione has drawn on the wonderfully rich music of 17th and 18th Century Naples, the undisputed “capital of the musical world” of that time. Each of the musicians in this group is a seasoned Baroque music specialist and include Elroy Cortinez, Mary Riccardi, Phoebe Gelzer-Govatos and Debra Lonergan.

Trombonist Kenneth Thompkins is currently the Associate Professor of Trombone at Michigan State University. He was Principal Trombone of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 1997 to 2024. For this program he and percussionist Gwendolyn Dease will perform African Violet for trombone and percussion by American composer Jeff Scott, with poetry by Miguel Edwards. Gwendolyn Dease is an award-winning Professor of Percussion at Michigan State University and maintains an active career as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral musician.

As always, each piece will be introduced by one of the musicians. Refreshments will be served following the concert.