A List
11/25/02

SLU EARLY MUSIC ENSEMBLE OFFERS CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN CONCERT

CANTON - Music inspired by the hit song of the 70's -- the 1470's that 
is -- Fortuna Desperata, will be featured in a concert by the Early 
Music Ensemble of St. Lawrence University, to be given on Sunday, December 8, 
at 4 p.m. in Gunnison Memorial Chapel on campus. Also on the program will be 
Gregorian chants for the Christmas season. The event is open to the public, 
free of charge.
	The first half of the program will feature music based on the 
late-15th-century Italian song Fortuna Desperata. The song's popularity, 
due to its simple beauty, was unprecedented in the Renaissance and inspired 
composers over an 80-year span. The Early Music Players and Singers will 
perform a mix of music chosen from over 50 works based on Fortuna that 
survive in manuscripts and prints from all over Europe -- sacred masses and 
motets, instrumental fantasias, and song arrangements. The Players will perform 
on both modern instruments and replica period instruments from the 
University's Romer Collection.
	The second half will feature the Early Music Singers performing 
Gregorian chants for the Christmas season. Gaudens Gaudebo from the mass 
for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which occurs on December 8, will 
be sung along with Puer natus est and Quem vidistis pastores, both 
chants for Christmas Day. Sweelinck's rousing Hodie Christus natus est will 
end the program.
	The Early Music Ensemble, directed by Barry Torres, is a group of students, 
faculty and community members dedicated to the performance of medieval, 
Renaissance and Baroque music. 

-30-

Back To News Releases
Back to St. Lawrence Homepage