Elegant Notes Spokane’s Graceful Historic Homes Are The Perfect Setting For Sounds Of The Allegro Repertoire

The marriage of old music and old Spokane homes has been a happy one.

And so the relationship keeps showing off in public.

On Wednesday night, the musical group Allegro will present the 14th performance in its Music in Historic Homes series begun in 1991. The site will be the Sengfelder house, 1321 W. Ninth, now the home of Lynda and Dan Tortarolo.

The striking brick mansion, now operated as a bed and breakfast, was designed by Kirtland Cutter.

There will be a short concert, a tour of the 7,000 square-foot home, and refreshments.

There will be three sittings - at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tickets are $12.50. Call 455-6865.

Music will be provided by David Dutton, playing both oboe and English horn; by Beverly Biggs, playing fortepiano; and by oboist Bethany Schoeff.

Biggs described Schoeff as a young upcoming musician with a virtually limitless future.

The musical program includes “Shepherds of Provence” by Bozza, a duet for oboe and English horn, a pair of pieces for oboe and piano by the French composer A. Barthe and a Chopin prelude.

The big tree-lined South Hill house was built in 1907 for the John Sengfelder family. It has been restored by the present owners.

It features oak, maple and fir flooring and period lighting.

Sengfelder, who grew up in Pennsylvania, came to Spokane in 1884. He started in the bakery business. He eventually got into real estate and road paving.

Biggs said she thinks people attracted to the series fall into three categories. There are those who just love seeing inside the historic homes. There are those who enjoy hearing the music in an intimate setting. And, third, some people are drawn by the total experience.

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