THEODORE CHEEK

lute & theorbo

Theodore Cheek has found himself touring with large and small ensembles across the US, with guest artist appearances in Europe and the Caribbean. Locally, he performs with the Philadelphia Choral Arts Society, the Handel Choir of Baltimore, and other ensembles. He has been a fixture of the East Coast Baroque opera scene, appearing in productions of Cavalli’s La Calisto and  Charpentier’s La Descente d’Orphee aux Enfers. Most recently he was part of the continuo band at the inaugural performance of the Curtis Institute’s centennial season of The Comet / Poppea, an avant-garde fusion of Monteverdi’s Baroque classic with George Lewis’ operatic rendering of W.E.B. Du Bois’ short story.

Theodore holds MM degrees in musicology and lute performance from Peabody Conservatory. He researched the reasons for the lute’s disappearance, highlighting the music of the last  prominent lute composers in relation to the style galant. He looks to expand his research and publishing his findings. Theodore maintains a private studio and offers master classes at Temple University and is a listed College House teacher at the University of Pennsylvania.