The 2010 Music Season will close with two recitals for Voice and Lute, entirely dedicate to early music, featuring French mezzo-soprano Guillemette Laurens and Portuguese lute player Miguel Yisrael to take place at the São Francisco Convent in Lajes do Pico on December 15 and at the Nossa Senhora da Vitória Church on Santa Maria on December 17 at 9:30.
The programme titled Merveilles de Cour: 17th century “airs de cour” features eighteen works by composers Gabriel Bataille, Charles Tessier, Étienne Moulinier, Antoine de Boesset and Nicolas Vallet.
The lute is plucked string instrument made of wood whose origin is still debated. Despite being an instrument widely used in medieval times, this instrument rose to popularity in 16th century Europe, particularly in France.
Guillemette Laurens, acknowledged for her work in early music and opera, has performed in the main concert halls around the world and worked with renowned groups such as “Les Arts Florissants.” She has recorded for Harmonia Mundi, Erato and Deutsche Grammophon. Born in Lisbon, Miguel Yisrael is one of the most prominent European lute players of his generation, considered by Hopkinson Smith “a passionate and intelligent musician who deserves to be heard around the world.”
The 2010 Music Season is an initiative of the Presidency of the Azores Regional Government carried out by the Regional Directorate of Culture, under the artistic direction of Emanuel Frazão, and it is co-produced by the Portuguese Musical Youth.