Programmes

Englond be Glad!
Music from the time of Henry VIII (1491 - 1547)

The image of the court of Henry VIII was one of magnificence. His palaces were the height of ostentatious display, and reflected his power and status as a leading ruler in Christendom. As part of his lavish image, Henry combined business with pleasure. Entertainments carried out on a grand scale encouraged the cult of chivalry and the language of courtly love.
Using music from Henry VIII's book, la Brigata not only performs English court music but international song hits of the time, and the distinctive chivalric songs in barbarous Anglo-French.

Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May
Music to celebrate the English Civil War

English songs and masque music to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the English Civil War (1642 - 45)

In Dulce Jubilo
Around Christmas in England, Sweden, Germany and Spain

Four centuries of music occasioned by events from the Annunciation to the New Year, concentrating on the celebration of Christmas in England, Sweden, Germany and Spain.

Bisclavret
Instruments: Portative Organ, Harp, Recorder, Crumhorn, Drum

A perfect evenings entertainment, where love, deceit, pageantry and werewolves abound. Bisclavret is a light-hearted interpretation of a story by Marie de France.

Feast of Fools
Instruments: Bells, Castanets, Drum, Pipes, Tambourine

When order is turned upside down and chaos rules, anything can happen. Feast of Fools is an unconventional Christmas and New Year celebration, complete with bells, smells and a cookery lesson.

Miri It Is While Summer Ilast
Instruments: Portative Organ, Harp, Recorders, Percussion

Performed in the troubador style, this progamme of mostly anonymous masterpieces tells of Lionhearts, battles and unrequited love.

Edward IV

To Entertain a Burgundian King
Music by Walter Frye and his Contemporaries

Of the mid 15th century mass composers whose names have come down to us, the outstanding figure is surely Walter Frye.

The Missa Summe Trinitati which forms the centre piece of la Brigata's programme, was used in the marriage ceremony of Edward IV's sister, Margaret of York and Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy in 1468. It is an exhilarating work displaying extraordinary variety while at the same time being closely and cleverly unified.

The programme sets the mass in the context of its time with a number of motets and songs by Frye, along with works by such eminent contemporaries as Morton, Bedyngham and Binchois.

Naked Maya, Goya, 1797

Sex, Seduction and Insanity

Lion on the Clock Tower, St Marks Square

The Lion of St Mark Comes to Land

Music of Venice and her dominions in the early fifteenth century.

Au Bois Joly

Medieval music for Robin and Marion

Richard III

Richard of York Goes Battling in Vain
A celebration in words and music of the lifeand times of Richard III

The death of Richard III in 1485 signalled the end of the Wars of the Roses and brought to a close six years of Plantagenet rule.

"King Richard, after receiving many mortal wounds, died a fearless and most courageous death, fighting on a battlefield

......he bore himself like a noble soldier and despite his little body and feeble strength, honourably defended himself to his last breath and crying Treason! Treason! Treason!"