Monarchs, Mishaps and Mosquitos

Stories in song with Cantabile Vocal Ensemble

Cantabile's newest program is a mélange of legends, vignettes, Bible stories and tall tales sung in five languages and set to music spanning half a millennium, from a motet found in the Medici Codex of 1518 to works composed last year for the group by local composer Clifton J. (Jerry) Noble.  There are several pieces about rulers like King David and England's Queen Elizabeth I, as well as accounts of unfortunate events, including a shipwreck that turns into a Christmas party, a king bewitched by mermaids, a gullible knight, and a rather naughty mosquito.  Several Renaissance composers are featured, among them Palestrina, Gesualdo and Weelkes.  In addition to Noble's pieces, other more recent music will be heard, such as arrangements of an African-American spiritual and a song by English composer Herbert Howells, and prominent poets like Walter de la Mare, Robert Frost and Heinrich Heine will have their words sung.

Cantabile is a six-voice self-directed ensemble based in the Pioneer Valley that specializes in a cappella performances of vocal chamber music from the European Renaissance, as well as music of other eras up to the present. The group was founded in 2001, and since then has sung in many dozens of concerts throughout the Valley and beyond. Their most recent performance at the Woman's Club was their "Triumphs and Laments" program in December 2024. Cantabile’s current members are Aidan Linden, James Mead, Katrina Turner, Maki Matsui, Nina Wurgaft and Peter Shea. Mezzo soprano Justina Golden (a former member) will be joining the group in several pieces.