Programe for PIVA concert - 21 November 2014

Measure for Measure - Music from Shakespeare’s Time

Fanfare     - Anon

 

Act One - England

 

The Battle Pavan

Tielman Susato, 1551

Muy Linda

Anthony Holborne, 1599

The Faerie Round

Anthony Holborne, 1599

Mon Desir / Mundesse

Susato, 1551/John Playford, 1651

Three Country Dances in One

Thomas Ravenscroft, 1609

Kemp’s Jig

Anon  

Paul’s Steeple

Anon  

La Douane Cella / La Bounette

Thomas Mulliner, 1560 

Intermission

 

Act Two - Italy

 

Vecchie Letrose

Adrian Willaert, 1545 

The Jewes Dance

Richard Nicholson, 1595

Chi Chi Li Chi

Giovanni da Nola, c1560

Leggiadria d’amore and Baxella

Fabritio Carosa 1581/Anon

L’Arboscella Ballo Furlano

Giorgio Mainerio, 1578

Lavandara Gagliarda

Giorgio Mainerio, 1578 

Moresco Bergamasca

Guilio Barbetta, 1592

 

 

 The Jigg  

 

La Historia del Gobetto

Gaspara Zanetti, 1645

La Montagnura

Gasparo Zanetti, 1645

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

    All arrangements are by Eric Moulder and Piva

Notes:
“Without the city are some theatres, where English actors represent almost every day comedies and tragedies to very numerous audiences; these are concluded with a variety of dances, accompanied by excellent music and excessive applause of those present.”

Paul Hentzner, Travels in England, 1598

2014 is the 450th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare and Piva felt that it couldn’t let this occasion pass without celebrating it in some way. 

Music and the theatre went hand in hand in Elizabethan England and whilst not known as a musician, it’s undoubtedly the case that Shakespeare understood and appreciated music.  Shakespeare incorporated literally hundreds of musical references into his plays and, alongside naming specific tunes and ballads, he uses over 300 specific musical terms.  This illustrates just how closely linked the worlds of music and theatre were in the late 16th century.  Whilst many of the musical references in the plays are lost on today’s audiences, with music so much part of everyday life, an Elizabethan theatre-goer would have recognised all the musical allusions, jokes and puns.

For Londoners, visiting playhouses, inns and theatres to watch productions was a popular outing.   Following the building of the first purpose built theatre in 1576, play-going quickly became an accepted pastime regardless of someone’s position in society.  Shakespeare and his fellow writers had to work hard to feed the voracious appetite for plays and entertainments.  Playhouses, despite their reputation for noisy, debauched behaviour and the threats of cutpurses and vagabonds, attracted huge audiences of people, all seemingly intent on being entertained and enjoying themselves.

Piva aims to give you a flavour of popular music and theatre in late 16th century England and we hope that you, too, will be entertained.

“Speak, gentlemen, what shall we do today?  Shall we go to The Globe and see a play? Or visit Shoreditch for a bawdy house?”

Samuel Rowlands, 1600

Piva was formed in 2002 with the view of exploring and playing late 16th century popular music from England and Europe.  Our aim was to bring together each members’ experiences and knowledge about the music, instruments and performance practices of the period and create a group that would present this music in an accurate and historical context.  Our objective has always been to make this repertoire interesting and enjoyable for a 21st century audience by giving lively and informative performances; creating an atmosphere that will bring this music back to life.

Full details about Piva’s forthcoming dates and venues are listed on their website at:

www.piva.org.uk

Further information, photos and news can be found on their Facebook page.

 www.facebook.com/PivaRenaissanceMusic

 

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Programme PIVA

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