Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares: Music of John Dowland
When:
Sunday, Mar 16, 2025 3:00a -
4:15p
Sunday, Mar 16, 2025 3:00a -
4:15p
Where:
Somerville Museum
One Westwood Road (at Central St.)
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission:
$30
Hosted by:
Categories:
Accessible Spots, Date Idea, Meetup, Music
Event website:
https://www.somervillemuseum.org/duo-maresienne
The 2024-25 season of Early Music Afternoons continues with a complete performance of John Dowland’s collection of instrumental music, Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares, performed by El Dorado Ensemble (Carol Lewis, Karen Burciaga, Mai-Lan Broekman, James Perretta and Alice Mroszczyk, violas da gamba; Olav Chris Henriksen, lute & orpharion).
Dowland’s Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares, published in London in 1604, is a celebration of fifteen years of his compositions. The most famous of these pieces is “Pavan: Lachrimae” (tears), renamed “Lachrimae Antiquae” (Old tears), and there are six more parody pavans, including “Lachrimae Tristes” (Sad tears) and “Lachrimae Verae” (True tears). To these seven pieces, the composer added a number of other dances, including galliards, pavans, and almaines, giving variety and color to his collection. Renaissance music fans will recognize many of the tunes from Dowland’s lute songs, lute solos, and other instrumental works, and the ensemble will show these off in different orchestrations, to reflect the various pieces’ backgrounds. You’ll hear “The Earl of Essex Galliard” (also known as “Can She Excuse My Wrongs”), “Captain Digorie Piper’s Galliard” (“If My Complaints”), and “The King of Denmark’s Galliard”, as well as the exquisite “Mr. John Langton’s Pavan”, among others. This remarkable collection, seldom performed in its entirety, will not disappoint – the timeless beauty of Dowland’s melodies and harmonies is captivating.
The members of El Dorado Ensemble are all active Boston-area musicians, frequently heard in concerts and recordings throughout the region. Carol Lewis and Olav Chris Henriksen are two of America’s leading early musicians, performing in recitals individually and together, as well as with internationally acclaimed ensembles including Boston Camerata, Hespèrion XXI, Capriccio Stravagante, Waverly Consort, and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.
