The Lady of Medieval Song

Medieval Europe rang with the words “my lady,” “our lady,” “fair lady,” “beautiful lady” and so on, or so the songs would have us believe. But who was this lady, these ladies? In this program, songs in praise of the Virgin Mary, the archetype of a “woman” in the medieval period, are juxtaposed with songs of—and by—more earthly women. Though only one secular song from the entire period is directly attributed to a woman, a surprising diversity of women’s voices and experiences echo through the often-anonymous poetry and music in this rarely-performed repertoire.

Naomi McMahon (voice), Allen Otte (percussion), and acclaimed guest artist Scott Metcalfe (vielle, harp; Blue Heron) join Artistic Director Allison Monroe (voice, bowed strings, psaltery) for an exploration of medieval songs about the lady, to the lady, and by the lady.