From Despair to Bliss – A spiritual journey for voice and viols
BUY TICKETSLaurence Dreyfus, treble viol, leader
Emilia Benjamin, treble viol
Jonathan Manson, viola da gamba
Heidi Gröger, bass viol
Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, bass viol
and Nicholas Mulroy, tenor
A tickets: €30
B tickets: €25/20
From Despair to Bliss is a spiritual journey for voice and viols, tenor Nicholas Mulroy and the fantastic Phantasm viol ensemble. It is based on eight Fantasies with programmatic titles published in 1610 by the little-known English composer Michael East (c. 1580–1648). Plagued with desperation and sin (Desperavi, Peccavi), the sinner sees the light, confronts his misdeeds and finds faith (Vidi, Penitet, Credidi) before he triumphs over his evil inclinations (Vixi, Triumphavi) so as to bask in the bliss of love (Amavi). Each instrument is given equal treatment, thereby producing an exceptionally deep and balanced sound. Between each Fantasy the programme intersperses consort songs by William Byrd, whose texts reflect the pilgrimage from despair to bliss and whose profound music intensifies its personal experience. Laurence Dreyfuss
I despaired
Michael East (c1580–1648: Desperavi from the Third Set of Books (1610)
William Byrd (c.1540–1625): Ye Sacred Muses
I sinned
East: Peccavi
Byrd: In Fields Abroad
I saw
East: Vidi
Byrd: La Verginella (Ariosto)
Byrd: Truth at the first was naked born
It offends
East: Penitet
Byrd: E'en as in seas
I believed
East: Credidi
Byrd: Susanna Fair
–
I lived
East: Vixi
Byrd: Content is rich
Byrd: Though Amaryllis Dance in Green
I triumphed
Byrd: Triumphavi
My mistress had a little dog
I loved
East: Amavi
Byrd: O you that hear this voice (Sir Philip Sidney)
Byrd: O God that guides the cheerful sun
