A life of Love and Joy

A life of love and joy: Songs from Medieval Europe is a programme of songs that illustrate both joyful, celebratory settings of poetry often using the theme of birds as heraldic symbols, and the recurring topic of unattainable love so often expounded in Medieval Europe. This performance will include pieces by Guillaume de Machaut, Francesco Landini, and Jacopo de Bologna.

Title text translated from a line in Guillaume de Machaut’s Puis qu’en oubli.

Pre-concert talk: Dr Michelle Castelletti will introduce the concert with a short presentation on the history and architectural history of this extraordinary Romanesque church.

Voice is an exciting, female vocal trio. In their 18 years together, they have built a dedicated fan-base across the world; a rich, varied repertoire of their own arrangements, new commissions, and rarely performed Early Music; and they have honed a truly unique sound. They draw on their individual musical interests and experiences to create thrilling timbres and a blend that has been described as ‘one voice’.

The trio has toured throughout the UK, USA and Europe with their two self-released albums: Musical Harmony (2013), “a stunning body of work destined to prick up the hairs on the back of one’s neck” (Oxford Times & Mail); and Patterns of Love (2015). Collaborative releases include: 'I Have Set My Hert So Hy' (Avie, 2015) with Dufay Collective, whom they also toured two new programmes of Spanish medieval pilgrim music in Galicia in September 2019; and Leoš Janáček’s The Diary of One Who Disappeared; Moravian Folksongs; Říkadla with Julius Drake and Nicky Spence (Hyperion, 2019). “The arrival of the siren-like trio… is heart-stopping and haunting in equal measure” (Gramophone Recording of the Month).

Voice released their latest album, Hildegard Portraits on SOMM Recordings in June 2022. 4.5* “beauty and precision. They continue to tour their multimedia show Hildegard Transfigured, with visual artist Innerstrings, described as “transfixing” Opera Today & received 4* review The Guardian.

Dr Michelle Castelletti is a conductor, composer, interdisciplinary artist and Director of Oxford Festival of the Arts. Following her Doctorate in Music (2013), she expanded her studies into the liberal arts. She is currently engaged in doctoral research, specialising in medieval history. Michelle is enamoured with material culture, particularly with medieval ecclesiastical ‘objects’.

Programme

O Successores - Hildegard of Bingen (12th C) *
Favus distillans - Hildegard of Bingen *
Je sui aussi - Guillaume de Machaut (14th C)
Puis qu’en oubli - Guillaume de Machaut
Doulz viaire gracieus - Guillaume de Machaut
L’alma mia piange - Francesco Landini (14th C) **
Aquila altera/Creatura gentila/Uccel di Dio - Jacopo de Bologna (14th C) **
Onques ne fut - Anon., France (14th C) **
Par maintes foy - Johannes Valliant (14th C) **
O virtus sapientiae - Hildegard of Bingen *
Nunc gaudeant - Hildegard of Bingen* arr. Voice