The Avant Bard

Introduction: Lute and violin specialist Theodore Cheek is in demand for both solo and ensemble performances. Not only has he performed solo recital tours in the United States, but has also been featured abroad as a guest artist in Europe and in the Caribbean. He also performs with ensembles such as the Philadelphia Choral Arts Society, the Penn Collegium Musicum, and the Haverford Chamber Singers. He has quickly become a staple of the Baroque opera scene as he has appeared in a variety of productions with the Temple Monteverdi Project, the Amherst Early Music Festival, and the Peabody Chamber Opera. Among his appearances were performances of Monteverdi's Il Ritorno d'Ulisse, Cavalli's La Calisto and Orontea, as well as Charpentier's La Descente d'Orphee aux Enfers. Cheek holds Masters degrees in both musicology and lute performance, both from the Peabody Conservatory. The focus of his thesis research was on examining the reasons for the lute's disappearance, highlighting the style galant as well as the works of some of the last, prominent composers for the lute. At present, he looks to expand upon this research with the hopes of publishing on the subject.