Last weekend we enjoyed a performance by Eden Baroque at Higham Hall. The concert was entitled "To Welcome Spring" and consisted of expressive arias and instrumental music from the 17th & 18th centuries. The music was selected to put a positive spring in our collective steps, and welcome the warmer weather and longer days ahead.
The programme included music by Vivaldi, Rameau, Handel, Purcell, Thomas Campion and Telemann. I was interested to learn that Vivaldi composed sonnets to accompany his musical compositions. When we got home I looked up the sonnet to accommpany the Spring Movement:
Springtime is upon us.
The birds celebrate her return with festive song,
and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes.Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven,
Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.
Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.
We were also treated to a beautiful rendition of Thomas Campion's song "There is a Garden in Her Face"
There is a garden in her face
Where roses and white lilies grow;
A heav'nly paradise is that place
Wherein all pleasant fruits do flow.
There cherries grow which none may buy,
Till "Cherry ripe" themselves do cry.
Those cherries fairly do enclose
Of orient pearl a double row,
Which when her lovely laughter shows,
They look like rose-buds fill'd with snow;
Yet them nor peer nor prince can buy,
Till "Cherry ripe" themselves do cry.
Her eyes like angels watch them still,
Her brows like bended bows do stand,
Threat'ning with piercing frowns to kill
All that attempt with eye or hand
Those sacred cherries to come nigh,
Till "Cherry ripe" themselves do cry.
A wonderful evening of excellent music and song, in a very inspiring setting. We emerged to a sky filled with stars and heads full of delightful music.