mission mandala

why "black pearl?"

jeri lynne johnson
Founding Music Director

the orchestra

our board

contact

p: 267.297.5534
f: 610.526.0150
t: tickets

The name of the ensemble is a translation into English of the term Baroque which derives probably from the ancient Portuguese noun barroco which is a pearl of unpredictable and elaborate shape. 

Chamber orchestras were the instrumental ensemble of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries-the height of the Baroque era in music.  The core ensemble consists of 20 string players, oboes, bassoons, horns, and a keyboard player.  These players can perform the majority of the masterworks of the Baroque and Classical eras.  But, just like the barroco, the BPCO can modify the structure of the ensemble to accommodate the unique instrumentation of modern masterworks as well. 

The BPCO will use the “concerto/soloist” format; that is, each musician in the ensemble will have the unique opportunity to let their solo talents shine and return the favour to their colleagues as ensemble players.