The Music of Love at the Court of Elizabeth I: This program
combines stories about the love affairs and scandals of Elizabeth's court with appropriate
music.
Music through the ages:When presented to school children, this
program has included music from the 13th century to the 19th century with narrative to tie
the examples to particular historical events or characters. It has been presented to older
students and teachers with emphasis on composers and musical genres.
Music for the Royal Toothache: The Queen's Ladies-in-Waiting are
able to indulge in some recreational music-making and gossip since the Queen has a
toothache and refuses their company. Even their offer to play soothing music for her
Majesty is abruptly rejected. Finally the problem is solved in an unusual way by the aging
Bishop of London.
Musicke for the Year 1598:An Elizabethan woman returns to her
old home, the manor house at Nether-Wallop, and comes across her diary for the year 1598 -
as she reminisces we share her experiences for that year. Her memories include the
holidays and feasts throughout the year, daily life in the village and manor, and her
friendship with the family of a neighboring manor - a family with a dangerous secret.
Musicke and Memoirs of an Elizabethan Lady: As the Countess of
Pembroke plays music with her friends she is reminded of past events, and between musical
reminders, talks about her mother, Lady Mary Sidney, life at the court of Elizabeth I, her
brother Sir Phillip Sidney, her uncle the Earl of Leciester as well the poetry and
literature of her time.
John Dowland - His Musicke: Moritz the Landgraf of Hesse, himself an aspiring musician, is proud to have known and employed the great lutenist and composer, John Dowland. He is only too happy to talk about Dowland's life and have his musicians play music by Dowland and associated with Dowland.
Music for the Seasons: The Seasons and holidays of an Elizabethan year are celebrated through music and narrative.
Aemilia Lanyer: The Music and Poetry of her Life and Times Poet Aemilia (Bassano) Lanyer (1569-1645) lived during the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I. She introduces to the audience music composed by her Bassano and Lanyer relatives and others. She talks about events that took place in her lifetime and her experiences as mistress to the Lord Chamberlain and later, wife of a court musician. Mrs. Lanyer also quotes from her poetry and that of other seventeenth-century poets.
Music of Shakespeare's Time I: The audience is invited to look in on a gathering at the house under the sign of a spread eagle, on Bread Street in Cheapside, London in 1625. John Milton (father of the poet) lives here, and has invited a group of friends to join him in an evening of music-making. The conversation turns to the theater, and in particular the plays of William Shakespeare. John Milton and his friends are reminded of music that has to do with Shakespeare and events of his time, and they also quote from Shakespeare's plays and poetry. This program may involve six or seven performers
Music of Shakespeare's Time II: The year is 1623. It is the reign of King James 1st of England and VI of Scotland. Aemilia (Bassano) Lanyer and friends have gathered to take pleasure in making music. Aemilia (a poet in her own right) has many relatives and acquaintances who knew Shakespeare, in fact she was for several years the mistress of Lord Hunsdon, the Lord Chamberlain. He employed Shakespeare and his fellow actors when they were known as The Lord Chamberlain's Men. As Aemilia reminisces her mind turns to the plays and poetry of William Shakespeare. She and her companions quote from Shakespeare and talk about historical events that affected the actors. Mostly though, they play music that is in some way connected with William Shakespeare and his time. There are five members of the group in this performance, the music varies somewhat from the first Shakespeare program.
All In a Garden Green: Imagine a Manor house, somewhere in Europe that has around it a farm, woodland, herb garden, flower garden, orchard, pond and river. Even by the year 1600, this idyllic place has a long history. Wind in the Woods will perform a tour of the Manor through music composed from 1200 to 1600 that has to do with the scenery and sounds of the Manor. This is great entertainment for the whole family.
"Ah Sweet Lady" - Songs of
Love and Longing from the 14th to the 20th century
Comments:
"I really enjoyed today's concert. You all played very well, and the
program was so unusual!" Janet Burke
"Awe inspiring . . . medieval and Elizabethan music ranging from the deeply poignant
and rapturous to the frolicking joyous . . . all sorts of reed instruments, lutes,
recorders, viola da gamba, beautifully and sensitively played . . . a most enchanting
performance: a must-hear and not-to-be missed ensemble!" Bess Imber,
(former Ballerina, dance teacher, choreographer and founder of the Chamber Dance
Ensemble).
A Day at the Farm: Chaos around the
Farm! The farmer's daughter gather's flowers and dances in the meadow insteading of
watching the animals - the Horse Bayard cast's a shoe, and runs off to the meadow,
Harriet, the white hen has escaped the coop and lays an egg in a puddle,
other animals come to the meadow to see what's going on, including a frog, and a Cat (who
gets stuck in the plum tree) and a flock of sheep. The farmer and his wife try to sort it
all out!
This is a program of medieval, renaissance and folk music which includes story,
activity and visual aids, designed for children 5 - 8
The Garden of Earthly Delights - wherein we play and sing of worldly pleasures: Renaissance and medieval music concerning the pleasures of the dance, the hunt, the table, and the tavern, and of course, the pleasures of love!
Music for the "Tale of Despereaux" - this program was especially put together for Harry Russell Elementary school, where the children had been reading the book "The Tale of Despereaux" includes music for the feasting, and dancing, French music in memory of Desperaux's Mother Antoinette, dark music of despair, and music of light hope and love.
A Visit to Shakespeare's Garden - A program for children in which they are magically transported to the Garden of Shakespeare's house at Stratford-upon-Avon - some sing-along songs included and some movement to music.
Music from the feast - A half hour (could be more) program, in costume, that demonstrations some of the features of Wright State Madrigal. The musicians process in as they play music. The Lord and Lady of the Manor make a grand entrance, and instrumental and sung music follow - and the Lord and Lady dance the pavan, before farewells are made, and the everyone exits to music.
The Italian Connection: This program was inspired by that fact that The Dayton Art Institute was architecturally influenced by the the renaissance Italian villas D'Este and Farnese. The program is narrated by "Duke Ercole d'Este of Ferrara and by his son Duke Alfonse d'Este. They tell of the musicians and music sponsored by the D'Este and Farnese courts through time, which included music of some of the great Franco-Flemish composers as well as Italian composers, and also the English composer Peter Phillips.