City of Ladies (2012)

This is the approved revision of this page, as well as being the most recent.

Folger Consort performed City of Ladies from April 13 to April 14, 2012.

The French and Burgundian courts of the early 15th century fostered a culture that treasured its musicians, artist, and writers and the revelatory idea of beauty for its own sake. City of Ladies took its title from a book written by an influential writer of the era and locale, Christine de Pisan. One of the book's poems, Dueil angoisseus, was set to music by Giles Binchois; this chanson and other exquisite and haunting works by Guillaume Du Fay and other composers were performed by a trio of vocalists with accompaniment by period string and wind instruments. Featured performers included mezzo-sopranos Barbara Hollinshead and Judith Malafronte, countertenor Drew Minter, and instrumentalists Mary Springfels and Tom Zajac.

Christine de Pisan.











Artists

Folger Consort

Artistic Directors

  • Robetr Eisenstein: viola da gamba, violin
  • Christopher Kendall: theorbo

Guest artists

  • Barbara Hollinshead: mezzo-soprano
  • Judith Malafronte: mezzo-soprano
  • Drew Minter: countertenor, harp
  • Mary Springfels: medieval fiddle, renaissance viol
  • Tom Zajac: recorder, flute, bagpipe, trombone