Christmastide told through Renaissance Madrigals
In this programme, we explore the traditional menagerie of gifts through a variety of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century madrigals from across Europe.
The wintry scene is set by Cesarina Ricci de Tingoli’s Nel discostarsi il sole (When the sun sets). Then follows the eclectic collection of gifts, from the overflowing aviary to the dancing ladies and leaping lords. Between their beautiful lines, many pieces are infused with comedy. Plentiful ‘madrigalisms’ (including clucking hens and honking geese) are interwoven with witty texts.
At the programme’s centre, we present two of the most famous madrigals of the time: The Silver Swan by Orlando Gibbons and Jacques Arcadelt’s Il bianco e dolce cigno (The white and sweet swan). The programme draws to a close with a reminder that coming together to enjoy music, dancing, and feasting helps To Shorten Winter’s Sadness (Thomas Weelkes).
This wide-ranging programme includes madrigals from c.1510 to 1644 – in English, Italian, German, and Latin. Composers include Maddalena Casulana, Orlando di Lasso, Barbara Strozzi, and Thomas Tallis. Alongside these titans of the Renaissance, we hope to introduce our audiences to some lesser known composers and unusual madrigals.
