Songbook for a King

Trobár presents the story of a lavish thirteenth-century anthology of French music, known today as the “Manuscrit du Roi.” The diversity of its content makes it unique for its time, containing sacred and secular songs, vocal and instrumental pieces, works in three languages, and sixty-two miniature artworks. While much of its history remains murky, the manuscript itself gives clues as to why it was created and what it was originally intended to be, as well as what happened to it later.

Trobár's Artistic Director Allison Monroe (vielle, rebec, psaltery, voice; Five College Early Music Program Director) is joined by founding member Karin Weston (voice, flute; Contre le Temps, Memor), as well as frequent guest artists Sian Ricketts (recorders, reeds, bagpipes, voice; Piffaro, Alkemie) and Nathan Dougherty (voice; University of Oklahoma). Enjoy the music and images from, and learn the history of, a songbook fit for a king!