“Crossing to the New World: Early and Traditional Music in the British Isles, France, and North America.” The similarity between the dance and instrumental music of four hundred years ago and much of the folk or popular music of today is striking, but not surprising. This program follows the paths of dance and balladry from the old world to the new, mixing music from early printed musical sources with that of oral tradition. Founded in 1980 to perform the instrumental music of Shakespeare’s time, the Baltimore Consort has explored early English, Scottish, and French popular music, focusing on the relationship between folk and art song and dance.