Author of Poetry and Song — Thomas Campion (1567-1620), A Renaissance Man

An homage on an Elizabethan poet, composer, music theorist, and doctor

On November 17, 2019, we will present the third concert in our series, Author of Poetry and Song. The title of this concert is “Light Conceits of Lovers”. See Calendar.

This program presents all 21 of Thomas Campion’s songs from „A Booke of Ayres“ published in London, 1601. Renowned equally as a poet and composer, Campion expresses well his thoughts on the nature of his songs in the preface to this, his first published book:

What epigrams are in Poetrie, the same are Ayres in musicke, then in their chiefe perfection when they are short and well seasoned.

The poems are often humorous (I care not for these ladies or It fell on a summer’s day) and at other times deeply touching (Tho’ you are young). Particularly interesting rhythmically is the song „Come let us sound with melody“ in Saphicke verse.

This program was first presented with renowned actor, Christian Schneller, who read entertaining excerpts from Campion’s preface to „A Booke of Ayres“ and other poems.

Performers: Joel Frederiksen — bass, lute and musical direction / Timothy Leigh Evans — tenor / Axel Wolf — lute / Domen Marinčič — viola da gamba / Christian Schneller — Recitation