City of Ladies (2012)

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