Concert of the Leiria Medieval Music Cycle goes up to the Castle on the “Spring Equinox”: Gazeta Rural

Leiria Castle will continue to present, in 2024, the Leiria Medieval Music Cycle.

The next concert entitled “Entre o Mar e a Terra” – Spring Equinox, is on March 23rd, starting at 4pm, at the Igreja da Pena – Castelo de Leiria, being preceded by a workshop for the public, starting at 3pm.

In this second concert of the Leiria Medieval Music Cycle, the focus is on the Cantigas de Amigo by one of the most acclaimed musicians of medieval Galicia, a jester named Martin Codax, which will be performed by the guest lyric singer, Irene Brigitte.

From the medieval manuscript known as the Vindel Parchment, in this second medieval experience, we will ask the sea for news of our loved ones and we will sail on the waves of the Iberian coast, always protected by the miracles of the Virgin that protected the sailing people. Next to the sea, we will discover other cultures that found their second home in the manuscripts of the Cantigas de Santa Maria, and we will experience the renewal of nature during spring through various Easter scenarios.

The mini-workshop that begins the presentation is a carefully prepared prelude that serves as a key to unlocking the mysteries and magic of the concert that follows on the day itself.

These introductions, created under the motto “learning is sharing”, offer a unique opportunity for the audience to become familiar with the soul of the music, offering a deeper insight into the historical context, instruments and their cultural significance.

Ticket sales are available on the day of the show, starting at 9:30 am. The price is included in the price of entry to the Castle (limited to the capacity of the room). For more information, contact [email protected]

Who is Irene Brigitte, the guest lyric singer?

Irene Brigitte (Trieste, 1989) obtained a master’s degree in Renaissance and Baroque Singing at the Vicenza Conservatory “Arrigo Pedrollo” (Italy). She is currently a PhD student in Artistic Studies at the University of Coimbra and is enrolled in the Postgraduate Course in Polyphony at ESMAE. She began her recording activity in 2008, collaborating on several projects. In the context of ancient music, we can mention the collaboration in the critical edition and the respective interpretation of Du Fay’s medieval mass “Se la face ay pale”, directed by Claudia Caffagni (2017; Amadeus), the participation in a recording destined for MedRen 2021 (Medieval and Renaissance Music Conference) with the ensemble Sesquialtera, and the collaboration with the ensemble Arte Minima (directed by Pedro Sousa Silva) for the album “In splendoribus” (2021), dedicated to Portuguese Renaissance music.

The Medieval Music Cycle

It is a cycle of six concerts preceded by workshops, under the motto “a window into medieval Iberian culture”, positioned throughout the year on important days of the solar, religious and pagan calendar. Organized and promoted by Castelo de Leiria – Municipality of Leria, the CMM is produced by CordaSonora, with artistic direction by Ricardo Alves Pereira, a research musician, storyteller and composer from Leiria, and Esin Yardimli Alves Pereira, multi-instrumentalist , writer and musician dedicated to various artistic production platforms.

The Leiria Medieval Music Cycle is a journey by TWB Ensemble (The Wandering Bard) through the world of Iberian medieval music. Throughout these concerts, the public is invited to listen to melodies, rhythms and stories that could have been heard in the medieval era in Leiria, in the castle and in its place of worship, the Igreja da Pena.

Each concert in the cycle features instruments such as the lute, the vielle, medieval percussion, and narration, presented by the TWB Ensemble, which each time invites highly specialized artists. Accompanied by the rich resonance of a baritone singer and the ethereal tones of a soprano singer, medieval Iberian melodies will fill the church and castle palace. The cycle also features the presentation of the craftsmanship of one of the most renowned luthiers of historical instruments in Portugal.

Why Workshops

Aimed at the general public, the workshops are taught with the aim of strengthening the public’s connection to the medieval repertoire of the “land”. The questions answered during these workshops will bring even more joy to the listener who then attends the medieval music concert, as a unique connection between listener and music will have been made beforehand.

The rich cultural heritage, written in Galician-Portuguese, contains many ancestral traditions; the lifestyle of the peasant and the king, the religious practices of nuns and priests, what was beautiful, what was a miracle, and much more is revealed in the lyrics of the Cantigas de Santa Maria, these examples being just the beginning of his wealth. Audiences can be sure to return home with memories of a wonderful concert and incredible information related to the bards behind the Cantigas de Santa Maria, Cantigas de Amigo, Red Book of Montserrat, among many other precious traditions.

Who are the TWB Ensemble (The Wandering Bard)?

The resident group of the Leiria Medieval Music Cycle, TWB Ensemble (The Wandering Bard), harmoniously weaves the essence of ancient music with the timeless tradition of storytelling. Drawing inspiration from troubadours and bards – a tribute echoed in its own name – the ensemble presents a meticulously constructed repertoire through a historically informed lens, enriched by captivating narratives, turning its performances and recordings into enchanting journeys. The group brings to life works by renowned composers of early music and anonymous masters from the 12th to 18th centuries, whose works formed the foundations of Western classical and traditional music. Each arrangement is a unique creation meticulously crafted by TWB, staying true to the era of origin and preserving its historical essence. Although strongly rooted in early music, The Wandering Bard skillfully creates a bridge for audiences unfamiliar with this musical genre. The group achieves this by infusing a mythological and narrative dimension into their performances, maintaining cultural authenticity and honoring the wisdom – the almost magical aura – of days gone by.

As culture is a vehicle of social development, it is intended to strengthen, through education through art, ties between our community and the multiple audiences that visit the Municipality and Castle of Leiria, which with a focus on programmatic diversity , welcomes the most diverse types of audiences, in the most varied artistic and disciplinary aspects.