A team of international specialists is studying the manuscript that once belonged to Margaret of Austria and is now held by the Royal Library of Belgium (B-Br MS 9085). It contains 58 anonymous dance melodies and one of the very first sets of choreographic instructions. The ‘basse danse’ was a stately dance popular at European courts in the Late Middle Ages. The Alamire Foundation has brought together a team of musicologists, musicians and dancers to reconstruct the additional voices and dance steps. Veronique Daniëls, a historical dance specialist who teaches historical dance and notation at the prestigious Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, has choreographed the pieces. A unique experience!
Program
Dances from Margaret of Austria’s manuscript B-Br MS 9085: La basse danse du roy d’Espaigne | Le petit Rouen | La danse de Cleves | La Franchoise nouvelle etc.
Performers
Grantley McDonald concept & composition | Adam Gilbert concept & composition | Adam Bregman concept & composition | Marc Lewon concept & composition |Wim Becu artistic direction Oltremontano Antwerp | Véronique Daniels dance & choreography | Alain Christen dance | Clara Coutouly vocals | Mara Winter whistle | Elizabeth Sommers fiddle | Adam Gilbert shawm | Rotem Gilbert shawm | Elisabeth Schollaert shawm | Wim Becu trombone | Adam Bregman trombone | Marc Lewon lute | Paul Kieffer lute | Marie-Ange Petit percussion
