A wonderful weekend of concerts celebrating the release of our new CD “Il Poverello: Medieval & Renaissance Music on the life of St. Francis of Assisi”
Francis was born Giovanni Francesco Bernardone and gave up a life of privilege for the materially impoverished life of a monk. He later founded an order of friars known as the Franciscans.
The patron saint of animals, St. Francis is also the patron of Italy. But his influence was felt well beyond the borders of Assisi and Italy. At Notre Dame in Paris, a group of educated (and perhaps inebriated) monks wrote poetic lines about his life that have a lusty musical setting.
We are thrilled to have performing with us our friends from Legnano, Italy, Isacco Columbo and Stefano Burrati. Isacco came to the US for the first time during our recording session this past August and is just enamored with America. He plays a myriad of instruments, but the most impressive to me is the fife & tabor. It’s kind of like rubbing your head and your belly at the same time in different directions. Check out the video I shot from the first time we met 2 years ago.
This is what Minnesota Public Radio has to say about our new disc:
“Minnesota’s preeminent early music ensemble keeps getting better, with improved blend, intonation and diction. This intimate recording of an engaging program of vocal monophony and polyphony, spiced up with additional instrumental selections, engages from beginning to end…a trip back in time.”
If you’re in the Pittsburgh area, or in Stuebenville OH – join us for a wonderful concert on Friday evening. Check my Show Schedule for more details!
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