Everyone has heard of the great early Renaissance artist Jan Van Eyck. His famous polyptich known as the Ghent Altarpiece has been regarded for centuries as priceless; it is so valued that it was stolen no less than seven times. But few are familiar with the equally brilliant music of the period. To experience that music – along with the art of Van Eyck – you are invited to attend a performance on October 13 or 15 by The Gregorian Singers of some of the rarely-performed music of the Burgundian School. Featured composers – some of whom almost certainly knew Van Eyck – include Guillaume Dufay, Gilles Binchois, John Dunstable, Johnannes Ockeghem and Josquin Des Prez. James Robinson of The Art Academy in St. Paul will talk about the art of Van Eyck before each of the concerts.
Also performing instrumental music of the period and accompanying the singers are lutenist Phillip Rukavina and Ginna Watson on harp and rebec.
The October 13 concert will be held at 7:00 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 4439 West 50th Street, Edina, MN, in the chapel. The October 15 concert will be at 4:00 p.m. at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 2035 Charlton Road, Sunfish Lake, MN.
Admission is $20 at the door ($10 for students).
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
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