As a statesman, Charles V was not uncontroversial. But his historical importance is inescapable: as the heir to Burgundy, Austria, Flanders and Spain, he was one of the most influential rulers of the Renaissance. Born in Ghent, he climbed his way up into the highest echelons of European political life and established himself as the King of Spain. After a long reign full of wars, Charles gave up the throne for a reclusive monastic life under the motto “Ecce elongavi fugiens et mansi in solitudine” (I fled and remained in solitude). Utopia Ensemble goes in search of the man behind the monarch by alternating parts of the Requiem by Pierre de Manchicourt – court composer to Charles’ son and the head of the illustrious Capilla Flamenca – with songs that shed light on his emotional world. The motets and chansons that fired the heart beneath Charles’ suit of armour were written by the cream of Franco-Flemish polyphonists, including Josquin des Prez, Thomas Crecquillon and the emperor’s favourite, Nicolas Gombert.
Program
P. de Manchicourt: Requiem | Chansons and motets by N. Gombert, T. Crecquillon, C. Canis, J. Richafort and others
Performers
Michaela Riener, mezzo-soprano | Bart Uvyn, countertenor | Adriaan De Koster, tenor | Lieven Termont, baritone | Guillaume Olry bass | Jan Van Outryve, lute
