Chicago Ensemble Brings Recently Discovered 15th Century Songbook to Life

WDCB’s Gary Zidek talks to David Douglass, the co-artistic director of the Newberry Consort, about the group’s upcoming program, WHAT’S OLD IS NEW: THE LEUVEN SONGBOOK.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to the Newberry Consort's co-artistic director David Douglass about the organization's upcoming program, What’s Old is New: The Leuven Songbook.

“By chance, an art dealer stumbled on a book full of highly detailed, engraved music, that came from an estate sale in Brussels. And he contacted people who understood what the book would be, and learned that it is actually only the sixth surviving songbook from this one important period in music history, that happened between the 1460’s and 1470’s.” - David Douglass talking about the discovery of the Leuven Chansonnier.

David Douglass, co-artistic director of the Newberry Consort

Music that was originally composed in the 15th century, but only recently discovered, will be brought to life on stage by members of the Newberry Consort. Produced in collaboration with the Cleveland early music group Les Délices, WHAT’S OLD IS NEW: THE LEUVEN SONGBOOK will bring together vocals with medieval fiddles, harp, lute, organetto and recorders.

The Leuven Songbook performances are set for January 11 8 p.m. at Newberry Library in Chicago, on January 12 8 p.m. at Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago, and on January 13 3 p.m. at Galvin Recital Hall at Northwestern University in Evanston. A pre-concert chat will be held 30 minutes before each concert.

Go to newberryconsort.org for more information.