The Lascivious Low Road: Currying favor in Medieval France
F.A.U.V.E.L: Flattery, avarice, vileness, variability, envy, laziness. These are the character traits of Fauvel, a medieval hybrid creature, part human, part equine. He is the incongruous “hero” of a late medieval French satire, The Roman de Fauvel. Fauvel, despite his utter incompetence, rises to the heights of political influence, with the aid of Lady Fortune and her vacuous daughter, Vainglory. Toadies rush to his side to “curry favor,” a term still in use today. This early critique of the abuse of power is razor sharp, appalling and very funny. The fabulous early Fourteenth Century manuscript which preserves Fauvel includes thousands of lines of poetry, brilliant illustrations, and every kind of music, from drunken song-refrains to cutting-edge motets by Philippe de Vitry. Our concert-length performance will be illuminated by images from the manuscript and super-titles.
With Drew Minter, voice and harp; Shira Kammen, Medieval fiddle; Mark Rimple, Lute and voice; Mary Springfels, viol and cittern.
Admission $20; Students free with ID.
For more information and tickets please visit Severall Friends: Early Music in the High Desert.