Independent Arts News Reporting The Dryden Ensemble Presents Of Pumpkins & Politicians Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 4 p.m. Princeton, NJ
Reported on Friday, October 30 2026.
Pictured Above: harpsichordist Caitlyn Koester. Photo Credit: Contributed.
NEWSROOM POST: NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Vladimir Dubossarsky in the New York City Subway
November 6–December 5, 2026, 42nd Street–8th Avenue Above A/C/E lines, Port Authority Stop, Manhattan
Princeton, NJ — The Dryden Ensemble opens its 2026–27 season with Of Pumpkins & Politicians, a program of Baroque music exploring autumn, political satire, and the spirit of 1676. The concert takes place Saturday, November 7, at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton. Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted.
Artistic Director and lutenist Daniel Swenberg will be joined by Grammy-nominated soprano Nell Snaidas, recorder and Baroque oboist Priscilla Herreid, harpsichordist Caitlyn Koester, and violist da gamba Lisa Terry.
Pictured Above: Nell Snaidas. Photo Credit: Gary Payne.
About the Program: The Dryden Ensemble Presents Of Pumpkins & Politicians
The program takes its inspiration from Musicalische Kürbishütte, a collection of songs by 17th-century German composer Heinrich Albert that also gave its name to an idyllic garden where poets gathered to sing, recite poetry, and exchange ideas.
The program moves from autumnal reflections on the cycles of life to biting English political satire. Works by Johann Krieger, Nicola Matteis, Thomas Mace, and Charles Dieupart are featured, along with the premiere of a concerto for oboe, lute, viola da gamba, and basso continuo by G. Meusel.
For Swenberg, the program’s historical parallels are particularly striking.
“For some time, I have been intrigued by (maybe obsessed with) British politics of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It seems to me that this is a strong case of history rhyming with current events,” he says. “It was a fiercely partisan time—two political parties intent to win at all costs. Fighting dirty.”
The program concludes with music reflecting on political corruption and one of history’s great financial collapses: the South Sea Stock Bubble of 1720.
About the Dryden Ensemble
The Dryden Ensemble is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to performing early music on period instruments. For concert information and ways to support the ensemble, visit drydenensemble.org.
About the Artists
A versatile lutenist and guitarist, Swenberg performs with leading ensembles across North America and Europe, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Jordi Savall’s Le Concert des Nations. He has served on the faculty of Juilliard’s Historical Performance program since 2015 and is passionate about presenting music within its broader historical and cultural context.
Nell Snaidas, soprano
A native of Piscataway, New Jersey, the Grammy-nominated launched her professional singing career at age 16 with the New Jersey Opera Theater. The American-Uruguayan soprano has performed throughout Europe and the Americas, specializing in Latin American and Spanish Baroque repertoire. Praised by The New York Times for her “beautiful voice, melting passion,” she is co-artistic director of GEMAS: Early Music of the Americas.
Priscilla Herreid, recorder and Baroque oboe
Herreid performs with leading early-music ensembles in the United States and abroad and is artistic director of Piffaro, the Renaissance wind band. Her appearances include the Handel + Haydn Society, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra.
Caitlyn Koester, harpsichord
Koester performs with ensembles including Jupiter Ensemble, Ruckus, ACRONYM, TENET Vocal Artists, and Les Délices. Her 2023 recording of Graupner’s complete sonatas for violin and harpsichord was released by ATMA Classique.
Lisa Terry, viola da gamba
A longtime member of the Dryden Ensemble and Parthenia, a viol quartet, Terry serves as principal cellist and viola soloist with Philadelphia’s Tempesta di Mare. Her credits include the New York Philharmonic, New York City Opera, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and Opera Lafayette.
Concert Information
What: The Dryden Ensemble presents Of Pumpkins & Politicians
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Where: Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, NJ
Admission: Free; donations gratefully accepted
Website: drydenensemble.org
