Ancient English and French Songs on Song and Lute

Quiet and intimate music of the European court spun by lute and song.
The English composer John Dowland, whose death will be celebrated 500 years this year, was active from the end of the 16th century to the beginning of the 17th century and gained high fame at the English court while serving Queen Elizabeth I. This performance will feature his Lute Songs, a collection of songs for voice and lute, and Air de cour, court songs that were refined during the following period at the French court under the reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV.
Love, loneliness, sighs - these songs that touch the depths of the human heart are narrative music that was created to be performed in small, intimate groups.
A moment when the soft tones of the lute and the human voice blend together.
Even for those who are new to ancient music, we will present a world of quiet music that will resonate with you through the ages.

May 31 (Sun.) Concert begins at 16:00
Momiji Hall 3118-10 Kaneda-cho, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture (free parking available)


Performers
Song: Mikae Natsuyama
Graduated from Elizabeth University of Music, Department of Religious Music. Won the third prize at the 6th Yamanashi Old Music Competition. She studied ancient vocal ensemble at Brabants Conservatory and completed her master's degree in vocal music at the Royal Netherlands Conservatory of Music, Department of Ancient Music. While a student, she became interested in medieval music and studied medieval music theory and singing techniques. She has performed at international ancient music festivals throughout Europe as a soloist and ensemble singer in the fields of medieval, Renaissance, and baroque music. She is the leader of Musica Parafonista, a vocal ensemble for ancient music.

Lute* René Jens-Forja
Studied lute under Anthony Bales at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam, where he received his diploma in 1988. Already during his studies, he became fascinated by early Spanish music and began playing the vihuela and historical guitar. He took courses and master classes with Paul van Nevel, Marius van Altena, Crawford Young, Paul Odette, and Fuad Benis. As an ensemble and soloist, he has been invited to perform at many international ancient music festivals in the Netherlands and in Spain, Germany, and Poland. In the Netherlands, he was a part-time lute teacher at the Amsterdam Conservatory of Music. He is a linguist and has a deep knowledge of medieval and Renaissance music.