ARMES ET AMOURS: THE GAME OF LOVE IN MEDIEVAL FRANCE

Eugene, April 27, 2012 – Anne Azéma and Shira Kammen
Fri, April 27, 8pm – 10pm
Beall Concert Hall, University of Oregon
Tickets: $10 general admission, $8 students and seniors

ARMES ET AMOURS: THE GAME OF LOVE IN MEDIEVAL FRANCE

This program focuses on the lighter and lustier side of the Middle Ages, far from monastic cloisters and cathedral vaults. The songs and poems deal with springtime, youth, erotic intrigue, and passionate romance, as celebrated in village revels, courtly chambers, and illicit trysting-places.

Anne Azéma (voice) and Shira Kammen (strings) are leaders in the  field of medieval singing and accompaniment. Each has recorded prolifically and toured worldwide; together, they devote their  enormous skill,  insight, and fantasy to the magnificent repertoires of medieval France, Provence, and Spain. French-born Azéma brings authentic language skills, a crystalline voice, and a gift for theatre; Kammen brings virtuoso technique on vielle, rebec,  and harp, as well as her famous flair, drive, and humour.

"Musical soul mates, Azéma and Kammen are at the height of their formidable powers in this recording. Azéma's gift for storytelling, her vocal freedom, the depth of her knowledge, and above all her purity of spirit and voice go straight to the heart of both song and listener. Kammen's accompaniments  are miracles in and of themselves: with the simplest of means, playing medieval fiddles and harp, she lifts the affect of each verse off the page. Her virtuosic dance interludes leap about with the most mischievous, infectious fun I've ever heard in medieval music." -- Toronto National Post, Canada

“Rich and varied…light and gracious…music filled with joy and hope…a vielle full of energy…a clear and pearly voice…Bravo and thanks!”  -- L'Union, Reims, France

Azéma’s visit is co-sponsored by: the Oregon Humanities Center Endowment for Public Outreach in the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities; the Oregon Humanities Center Visiting Scholar Fund; the Robert M. Trotter Fund of the UO School of Music and Dance; the Tom and Carol Williams Fund for Undergraduate Education; the Giustina Family Professorship in Italian Language and Literature; the UO Department of Romance Languages; the UO Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs; the Departments of Musicology and Voice of the UO School of Music and Dance; the UO Dean of Graduate Research; the UO College of Arts and Sciences; and the UO Department of Comparative Literature.