Le Roman de la Rose
Instrumentation: voice, recorder, lute, viella, speaker
The 13th century novel begun by Guillaume de Lorris and completed years later by Jean de Meung has fascinated readers for centuries. The gorgeous original manuscript has been frequently printed and translated into numerous foreign languages, and is one of the most important secular works of medieval literature. The Novel of the Rose charmed and amused its enthusiastic readers, yet also caused provocation and controversy.
Join the main protagonist of the novel, a young man on a journey into a strange garden in his dreams. He falls in love with a symbolic rose, which is a paraphrase on Narcissus’ reflection, in a fountain. To obtain the rose Cupid sends him on a path of tests meant to teach him courtly virtues. After many trials provided by allegorical figures, he becomes a true lover in the courtly sense, and may finally reach forth and pluck the rose with the help of Venus.
Using excerpts from the novel and French and Italian songs of the 14th century by Ciconia, Machaut, Solage, Senleches, and others, Santenay, in collaboration with a reciter, will take you through the garden of pleasure.
Guillaume Dufay: Se la face ay pale
Oxford: Bodleian Library,
Canonici Misc. 213, fol. 53v-54
