Le Grand Estampie Royal (2009)
for string octet
12 minutes
Program Notes
Le Grand Estampie Royal is a Ballet for string Octet and sixteen dancers. The Ballet is a series of vignettes based on stories and music from various countries in Medieval Europe. These scenes are separated by a violent estampie (medieval dance) that is continuously repeated through out the work. The Scene, Italia: Il timido amore di Dante e Beatrice, tells the story of the meeting of young Dante Alighieri and Beatrice (a women he had met only once and spent the rest of his life loving from a distance) through comedy. The various moments of the music portray Dante and Beatrice meeting, Dante’s pining loneliness, and his attempts to get her attention through the bustling canals and at times dangerous narrow allies of Venice.
Tessa Lark, Jennifer Wey, Audry Wright, Joanna Mattrey, Violins; Emily Deans, Samuel Gold, Violas; David Meyer, Kevin Downs, Cellos
Score and parts for Le Grand Estampie Royal are available upon request. Please fill out the contact form here.
April 21, 2009 | New England Conservatory, Boston, MA.