Emmanuel Adriaenssen’s Pratum Musicum (1584) stands as one of the most important lute publications of the late Renaissance. This collection features intabulations—lute arrangements—of well-known vocal works from France and Italy, alongside a selection of Dutch songs that were omitted in the expanded 1592 reprint. Drawing inspiration from prominent European composers, Adriaenssen not only adapted their music but also developed a distinctive style that helped shape the flourishing Antwerp lute school.
Salomé Sandoval (SaSa) was inspired by the painting entitled “The Lute Player” (c1620) by Gerard Seghers (1591-1651), displayed in the North Carolina Museum of Art collection. In this program, SaSa brings the intabulation tradition to life by pairing solo lute dances with the original madrigals for voice and lute that inspired Adriaenssen’s arrangements. Presented side by side, these works offer a unique glimpse into the creative process of transformation from vocal polyphony to idiomatic lute repertoire. The singing self-accompanying music performance is presented alongside with projections onto a screen that contain translations and Art related to the period.
