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A Gothic Easter: Machaut’s Magnificent Mass

A Gothic Easter: Machaut’s Magnificent Mass
A Gothic Easter: Machaut’s Magnificent Mass
The Boston Camerata led by Anne Azéma, Artistic Director, presents Machaut’s “Messe de Nostre Dame.” Composed by Guillaume de Machaut in Reims circa 1360, the magnificent Mass of Our Lady is the first of its kind in music history. Yet it still speaks directly to the heart across the centuries. We will surround this work with richly expressive Gregorian chants from the cathedrals of Northern France. The Camerata is assisted by Convivium Musicum (Michael Barrett, director).

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soloists of Puer Natus Est, Anne Harley, Anne Azéma, and Deborah Rentz-Moore
Our Christmas concerts began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on December 9, where  the magnificent St. Joseph Chapel  was filled to the brim for “Puer Natus Est.”  The audience greeted our processing musicians with   whoops and cries of “bravo.” The Boston crew was assisted by  the Milwaukee Chorale Artists (under the direction of Sharon Hansen), who sounded as smooth and fine as we remembered them from our previous collaboration “Powerful, spirited, and exquisitely controlled singing,” said Milwaukee Magazine.  A lovely experience for all involved.
At a rehearsal with Joel Cohen and Les Fleurs des Caraïbes
The feeling in the Schenectady, N.Y., hall a few days later was quieter and sadder than in Milwaukee, as we premièred the 2012 production of “Brotherhood of the Star.”  The terrible shootings in Newtown,  Connecticut, had just taken place, and the tenor of the Christmas celebration,  inevitably, had changed.  Joel Cohen began the evening (as he did in all subsequent performances) by dedicating the concert to the children of the world.

And so, we proceeded.  And the magic of the Spanish and New World repertoire,  the irrepressible life force that is in that music,  took hold.  As in each performance of “Brotherhood,”  the audience rose to its feet as one person at concert’s end.   Our Camerata crew gave its all,  and the vital contributions by Les Fleurs des Caraïbes gave the rhumbas and guarachas the ring of eternity.  Hope for a better tomorrow prevailed. “Wonderful performances,”  said the Boston Musical Intelligencer.  And our best wishes for 2013!

Our photos:  
a. soloists of Puer Natus Est,  Anne Harley, Anne Azéma, and Deborah Rentz-Moore
b. At a rehearsal with Joel Cohen and Les Fleurs des Caraïbes

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December 2. 2012 – Concord, MA

We at Camerata, including Singing Centaur and all his associates, are party animals! And we were delighted by the musical party in Concord thrown a few weeks ago, in Camerata’s honor, by hosts Terry and Peter Yanulavitch along with Ronni Olitsky Young. The vibe was just right, the live early music (by Directors Past & Present, the current hot group on this circuit) perfect for the event, and the conviviality around excellent food and drink perfect for the just-past holiday season.

No need to be envious, now. Yes, you, too, can hear the Boston Camerata live in YOUR home, church or club — just ask us, you’d be surprised how easy it is. Don’t be shy, please tell us what you like!-)

Thanks, Terry and Ronni for being such fantastic hostesses (and thanks, Jeff Young, for the photo).

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During 2012, Camerata produced TWO programs of early American music: “Patriots and Heroes,” a Patriot’s Day special, last April 16, and, most recently, “The Harvest, ” on October 28, at Harvard University.

The memory of those fine programs lingers on, but something more as well: some student-produced video clips of “Patriots,” including interesting interviews with some of the principals, have been posted on Youtube, and extensive excerpts from “The Harvest” can be heard via the WGBH website. And yes, we are working on a new Americana CD/media product. Stay tuned!

our photo: Anne, the Camerata, and the Harvard Choral Scholars, November 2012