In an attempt to find new sources of inspiration beyond the Christian religious aesthetic, the intelligentsia of renaissance Europe looked to ancient Greece and Rome as a source of inspiration. This gave birth to a flowering of new ideas and wonderful secular art as reflected in the painting, sculpture and the seldom heard music of this golden age. The ideal renaissance person was expected to appreciate and write poetry, paint, sculpt, be conversant with the classic myths and philosophers and sing and perform on a variety of musical instruments. Thus at the end of an evening of stimulating conversation, someone would bring forth the musical part-singing books and they would sit around a table and sing this music for themselves and a few intimate friends.

Some of the finest composers of Europe vied with each other in setting to music verses of the finest poets in the writing of a voluminous amount of madrigals for such intimate ensembles. Thus there are literally hundreds of examples of delightfully enchanting and well-crafted music that is seldom heard today.

Among some of the finest composers of this golden age whose music we will sing include the Italian, Luca Marenzio, the French, Orlando de Lassus, and the Elizabethan English, John Wilbye, Thomas Morley and John Weelkes.

Sing We at Pleasure	John Weelkes
Tanya, Julia, Molly, Jas, Michael
To Shorten Winter's Sadness	John Weelkes
Tanya, Julia, Molly, Jas, Michael
Liquide Perla Amor	Luca Marenzio
(Liquid Pearls Flowed from Love's Eyes)
Tanya, Julia, Molly, Jas, Michael
Strider Faceva Le Zampogne	Luca Marenzio
(The Shepherd Skirled His Bagpipes)
Tanya, Julia, Molly, Jas, Michael
Sweet Nymphs come to Thy Lover	Thomas Morley
Tanya and Julia
Farewell Disdainful	Thomas Morley
Julia, Molly, Jas
Thou That Art So Cruel	Thomas Morley
Molly and Jas
I Should For Grief and Anguish	Thomas Morley
Molly and Jas
April Is in My Mistress Face	John Wilbye
Julia, Molly, Jas, Michael
Deep Lamenting	Thomas Morley
Molly, Jas, Michael
Lady Those Eyes	Thomas Morley
Tanya, Julia, Jas
Mon Coeur Se Recommande A Vous	Orlando di Lasso
(My Heart Is Offered Still To You)
Julia, Molly, Jas, Michael
Quand Mon Mary Vient De Dehors	Orlando di Lasso
(Oh, When My Husband Staggers Home)
Julia, Molly, Jas, Michael
Bon Jour Mon Coeur	Orlando di Lasso
(Good Day My Heart)
Julia, Molly, Jas, Michael
Beau Le Cristal	Orlando di Lasso
(Fair Is The Crystal)
Julia, Molly, Jas, Michael
Adieu Sweet Amarylis	John Wilbye
Tanya, Molly, Jas, Michael
Cantava La Piu Vaga Pastorella	Luca Marenzio
(The Loveliest Shepherdess)
Tanya, Julia, Molly, Jas, Michael

[ORIGINAL] PROGRAM ARTWORK BY JULIA VAN DER WYK
WWW.THEJULIASITE.COM