Songs and Dances of The Renaissance, Thomas Forrest Kelly April 15, 2008

Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium

This week’s topic:
Singing as Recreation—with the Vocal Ensemble Sprezzatura: Some of the Most Elegant and Delicious Music of the Time, from Arcadelt to Monteverdi, and Morley to Dowland

Castiglione’s Book of the Courtier makes it clear that any well-bred courtier should be able to play his instrument, sing in a group at sight, and dance a fine galliard. We consider these and other skills in this engaging series of live performances with commentary. Each lecture features a distinguished ensemble that will demonstrate how musicians of the Renaissance adopted favorite tunes of the day for various occasions—balls, festivals, banquets, and private recreations. A few key songs appear in all three lectures.

Official Website: http://www.metmuseum.org/tickets