Monteverdi String Band

Monteverdi String BandCon un non so che di frizzante – ‘with a little something sparkling’ – is how the blind poet Giulio Strozzi (1574) described the essence of the madrigal: a short poem, flexible in rhyme and rhythm, beloved of poets for brief, touching scenes of love and longing. In its musical form, though, it came to take on an extraordinary, independent life of its own: the staple of every composer, it became a vehicle for new means of expression, rather like the string quartet in the time of Beethoven. 

In The Madrigal Reimagined, we take this blossoming a stage further, presenting madrigals in diverse settings from solo voice and lute to a full string band, with or without voice, to explore every facet of the madrigal’s transformative journey from gentle part song to one of the dramatic cornerstones of opera. Monteverdi’s powerfully poignant settings nestle with virtuosic ornamental reworkings of older madrigals, instrumental preludes and canzonas to create miniature scenes, framed by short, topical readings from the worlds of music, dance and theatre.

Oliver Webber, Theresa Caudle  violin
Wendi Kelly, David Brooker viola
Mark Caudle bass violin
with guest artists Hannah Ely soprano
and Toby Carr lute, theorbo
 
Concert duration: approximately 60 minutes with no interval.
With generous support from Harcamlow Music. 

This concert is in collaboration with the Kellaway Concert Series at St Catharine’s College.

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St Catharine's Chapel (map)
Wed 15 Nov 2023 19:30
Adult £22.50 F/T Student £7.50 (ID required) Under 18 no charge Early booking £22.50 (Friends, Patrons & Benefactors)

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