WINE, WOMEN AND SONG
Joie de vivre in Sixteenth-Century Munich

As Leonhard Lechner wrote in the preface to his 1589 publication of sacred and secular lieder: “Since the Lord God especially gave not only the beloved art of Music for the honour and praise of his Almighty name, but also for the honourable entertainment of mankind and especially his dear children, why would man himself not make use of secular songs and things?” 

In a time where in certain circles the act of composing madrigals could get you fired from your church job, it seems that few composers could resist the temptation.  Ludwig Senfl, Leonhardt Lechner, Orlande de Lassus and Johannes Eccard, rubbing shoulders as teachers, students and colleagues in Munich over the course of the sixteenth century, all penned music in celebration of the triple muse of love, music, and alcohol with such alacrity and stylistic abandon that it is not always clear whether the subject is divine or earthly in nature.  Join us for spread of music to satiate both the spirit and the flesh, intermingling sublime Song of Songs settings with philosophical musings on women, love, music, and more than a few pieces in praise (and bemoaning the consequences) of wine.