Three talented musicians from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra are set to open the Flower Mart with a special spring concert at Mount Vernon Place Church on May 1.
The concert, titled “Serenade for Strings,” will showcase BSO Concertmaster Jonathan Carney, violinist Agnes Tse, and cellist Holgen Gjoni as they perform classical masterpieces by famed composers Mozart and Beethoven.
The Flower Mart is a delightful two-day celebration taking place on May 1 and May 2, running from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event will fill the streets and parks surrounding the historic Washington Monument, located at the intersection of Charles and Monument streets.
The musical performance is scheduled to occur from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon Place Church, situated at 2 E. Mount Vernon Place. This concert marks the inaugural collaboration between the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and UNITE Mount Vernon, a non-profit organization that acquired the church last year. Their goal is to revitalize the space through various programs and events, transforming it into a central community hub.
Carney is celebrating his 24th season with the BSO, having previously held the same position with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for 12 seasons. He performs in honor of the Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Chair at the BSO and plays on a rare Stradivarius violin crafted in 1687.
Agnes Tse, originally from Hong Kong, earned her Master of Music degree at the Juilliard School, where she studied under the guidance of Lewis Kaplan and Joel Smirnoff. Tse has enjoyed the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra. She has also participated in notable events such as the New York String Orchestra Seminar at Carnegie Hall and has showcased her talent at prestigious venues including the Music Academy of the West and the Tanglewood Music Center.
Cellist Holgen Gjoni has been performing since his solo debut with the Korca String Orchestra in Albania at the young age of 12. His impressive career has led him to stages across the United States, Europe, and Asia, with highlights including performances at Carnegie Hall, the Berlin and Budapest opera houses, and the Kennedy Center. Gjoni has collaborated with esteemed ensembles such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the New World Symphony.
Tickets for the May 1 concert are priced at $28.52 and are available for purchase on Eventbrite.
Proceeds from this concert will contribute to the restoration and activation efforts for the church and the surrounding Mount Vernon community.
Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage
The BSO concert is part of a series of events organized by UNITE Mount Vernon to invigorate activities at the church this spring.
On Saturday, April 25, Mount Vernon Place Church will serve as one of 12 stops during the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage. More than 850 tickets have already been sold for this event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets will still be available for purchase on Saturday, and additional information can be found at www.mhgp.org.
Other notable stops on the tour include:
- 740 N. Calvert St. (St. Ignatius Church).
- 1217 Saint Paul St. (Winans Mansion).
- 9 E. Chase St. (Empire House).
- 105 W. Monument St.
- 8 W. Mount Vernon Place (Mount Vernon Club).
- 11 W. Mount Vernon Place (Engineers Club at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion).
- 14 W. Mount Vernon Place (Marburg Mansion).
- 700 Washington Place.
- 715 Washington Place.
- 718 Washington Place (Graham-Hughes House, aka the Turret House).
- Washington Monument at 699 Washington Place.
The Ivy Bookshop and SoBotanical
The Ivy Bookshop has launched a spring pop-up shop inside the church, which opened on Friday, April 24, and will remain open until June 12. The shop will operate from Thursday to Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., with extended hours on April 25, when it will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on May 1 and 2, with hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In addition to the bookshop, a local studio called SoBotanical will feature a unique “scent installation” within the church. SoBotanical, operated by certified aromatherapist Theresa Cangialosi, is known for its aromatherapy bar and apothecary shop located at 4800 Roland Ave.
According to Jack Danna, board chair of UNITE Mount Vernon, SoBotanical will present a “lemon scent installation” that will run through June 12 to celebrate the Flower Mart and usher in the vibrant spring season. Danna mentions that the installation is designed to encourage reflection and alter perceptions of the church space.
“Our scent was specifically chosen for this event and this space,” Cangialosi stated in a message. The SoBotanical installation will be accessible during the same hours as the Ivy Bookshop, allowing visitors to enjoy both experiences concurrently.
