Thomas Campion — The Third and Fourth Book of Ayres
Not to be missed: Dame Emma Kirkby will be our Special Guest!
Joel Frederiksen has expressed his deep admiration for the English poet-composer and physician Thomas Campion (1567-1620) many times in concerts. For him, Campion is the ideal figure of an educated Renaissance Man. Ensemble Phoenix Munich has already performed Campion’s songs from the so-called “Rosseter book” and the complete first and second books. With The Third and Fourth Book of Ayres (London ca. 1617) Frederiksen brings the complete works of Thomas Campion's lute songs to the stage.
Emma Kirkby and Joel sing Dowland
Thomas Campion dedicated his third Book of Ayres to his long-time friend and patron, Thomas Mounson, and the fourth to John Mounson, his son. A few years before the publication of the fourth and last book, Campion, together with his patron Thomas Mounson, was accused of the murder of the poet Sir Thomas Overbury. But good news: In the end, he was acquitted!
I am honored and moved that Emma Kirkby has agreed to join us for this concert. Emma will sing and speak with me at intermission about the Golden Era of English Lute Song. We also welcome Emma-Lisa, Colin and Domen back, to interpret these “Ayres”, or songs, with Joel Frederiksen. It is a particular pleasure to have Lucie, Barbora and Magda as our collaborators. Lucie is finishing her doctorate on the music of Campion, Barbora studied lute in Trossingen, and Magda studied with Hille Perl in Bremen. Together they released a lovely CD in 2022, entitiled “Aphorisms in Music - Lute Songs by Thomas Campion” (Arta Music). With this stellar cast the concert will be a colorful celebration of the works of a great Renaissance artist…and there will be some surprises!!
There are many ways to interpret a song, and we are excited about sharing some of those possibilites with you in this festive concert marking the end of our 2022-23 anniversary season!
Emma-Lisa Roux and Joel (Photo: Gregory Wang)
Special Guest: Dame Emma Kirkby - soprano
Performers: Emma-Lisa Roux - soprano, lute | Colin Balzer - tenor | Domen Marinčič - viola da gamba | Joel Frederiksen - lute, bass, musical direction
Guests: Lucie Strejcová - soprano | Barbora Hulcová - lute | Magda Uhlířová - viola da gamba
