Dear friends, when we saw this anonymous picture on Twitter depicting Dame Fortune in the Roman de Fauvel hanging out with a senator from Vermont and his mittens, we laughed out loud and posted it on Facebook.
And lo! Less than a week later, we find that our post has been viewed, ahem, 183,689 times, with over 1,900 shares, as of this morning (1/28/2021).
Here is a sample of the song and story performed by The Boston Camerata. The first piece is about Dame Fortune, who spins the wheel of Fate; the second, Fauvel’s attempt to pitch Fortune some woo. Enjoy!
Le Roman de Fauvel: Deus roes out & Douce Dame debonaire
Flaneries Musicales De Reims Maison Des Comtes De Champagne The Boston Camerata Dirige Par Anne Azema “Thibaut De Champagne” Photos Journal
…but so is a nasty virus. And so friends, we must postpone our February production, Douce Dame Jolie, the touching love story in verse and music of Guillaume de Machaut, an aging ecclesiastic, and a passionate young poetess. It’s a marvelous tale, and how we want to share it with you! And so we shall, at a later date, once our planet’s health situation improves.
Meanwhile, we are preparing other romantic musical episodes to lighten your days around Saint Valentine’s. Please stay tuned for further announcements!
To tide you over until then, here for your enjoyment is Amours me fait desirer et amer de cuer mais c’est si folettement by Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377), performed by the Aziman Ensemble (Anne Azéma; Shira Kammen, harp; Fabio Accurso, lute).
The pictures in the video were taken during a project at the Parker Library in Cambridge, UK; Anne looking in awe at the Ferrell-Vogüé Machaut manuscript; Shira and Fabio rehearsing.
Translation:
Love makes me desire and love, but it is in such a foolish way…
There are times when things can appear somewhat upside down… Enjoy the long weekend, and stay tuned for updates on the rest of our season, coming next week!
“…a balm and a comfort…held our attention every minute.”
So went this just-in review of our newly-created American Christmas 2020 video, adding to the kudos already received from numerous viewers. Thanks to Brian Schuth and the Boston Musical Intelligencer for these supportive words, and thanks to all of you who, via your purchase of online tickets, brought this new, somewhat audacious production to life! We are so happy to bring you something special, and beautiful, for your year-end celebrations. It means a lot to us.
Since so many of you have expressed appreciation for this project, we have decided to extend the availability of the video until January 15. If you already have your ticket, you may continue viewing, as many times as you wish, until that date. And, if you haven’t already seen and heard the concert, it is still possible to gain access. Just click here to buy a ticket. We think you will be pleased, and inspired.
Daniel Hershey, tenor; Joel Cohen, guitar
The Fine Print (please read!) An American Christmas will be available for streaming at any time from December 27 until January 15. There is no limit on the number of times you can watch the show during this period. You will receive an email with a link to the show after you purchase your ticket. As our communications sometimes go into spam and junk folders (or your Promotions folder, if you use that feature in Gmail), please make sure to check those places if you can’t find our email.
Since we cannot gather in concert halls this holiday season, the Boston Camerata will come to you with a newly-produced streaming version of An American Christmas. Filmed at Boston’s historic Old North Church, the performance features inspiring early American music, in a program reimagined specifically for this unique and challenging year. Artistic Director Anne Azéma comments: “This glorious music from a young and hopeful nation will give us all the kind of boost we wish for at the present moment.”
Available online December 27th through January 15th!
As we understand the story, the Wise Men arrived at the cradle, a few days after the birth of Jesus.
Alas, like them, we are also a little delayed.
The music is done, the visuals are splendid. You have never seen Old North look so beautiful. Unfortunately for our own journey certain essential files were delayed as we were hoping to arrive by Christmas day, were en route to the crêche.
We are disappointed, for us and for you.
Our full length video will now be available on the third day of Christmas, December 27, at 4pm, rather than the first day, as we had planned.
How can we make it good for you? Well, our Director Emeritus Joel Cohen is here for you today with an informal talk on how Americans of earlier generations made music for the holiday. And you will also find below a sneak preview excerpt: a performance of the magnificent Southern carol Star in the East. For the rest, in the spirit of peace and goodwill, we humbly request a couple of days of forbearance on your part.
The complete video, once online, will be available to ticket holders for unlimited viewing and hearing through January 10.
With our deepest apologies, and our continued wishes for a happy and blessed Christmas week,
Anne Azéma Artistic Director
Click to view and/or download our program book
Music Director Emeritus Joel Cohen on early American music
The Camerata has been producing annual Christmas concerts since (if memory serves) 1970 — fifty years! And we continue, even in this uniquely challenging moment, to celebrate the holiday season with you. How could it be otherwise?
And so, our online 2020 production of An American Christmas, recorded and filmed at Boston’s historic Old North Church, will be ready for viewing online in a few days. Yes, friends, we are a little behind because of schedule changes in response to heightened COVID concerns. But the beautiful music lives, and will now be available to ticket holders from December 25 through January 10, for as many viewings/replays as you desire.
We apologize for the delay, and I hope that the musicians and I can continue to enrich your lives, as we have always done, with these precious, irreplaceable sights and sounds.
As a bonus for your patience, please accept this performance of “O magnum mysterium” by Giovanni Gabrieli, from our 2018 production Gloria! An Italian Christmas.
Since we cannot gather in concert halls this holiday season, the Boston Camerata will come to you with a newly-produced streaming version of An American Christmas. Filmed at Boston’s historic Old North Church, the performance features inspiring early American music, in a program reimagined specifically for this unique and challenging year. Artistic Director Anne Azéma comments: “This glorious music from a young and hopeful nation will give us all the kind of boost we wish for at the present moment.”
The Fine Print (please read!) An American Christmas will be available for streaming at any time from December 27 until January 15. There is no limit on the number of times you can watch the show during this period. Ticket buyers will receive an email with a link, prior to show time on December 27. As our communications sometimes go into spam and junk folders (or your Promotions folder, if you use that feature in Gmail), please make sure to check those places if you can’t find our email.We encourage you to purchase tickets to give to friends this holiday season. Please contact the Camerata office for more information about ticket-gifting.
We are currently in intensive preparation for a new streaming production. An American Christmas features inspiring early American music, sung this year in the beautiful setting of historic Old North Church in Boston.
Available online December 20th through January 6th!
