Said to be the most widely-distributed book in Europe after the Bible, the medieval bestiary, or “book of beasts,” established paths of meaning for animal references in Europe over the ensuing millennia.
With WONDROUS BEASTS, Alkemie joins forces with composer Elliot Cole to craft new arrangements of stunning music from 14th-century Italy and newly-composed repertoire inspired by animals from medieval Europe. Vielles, harp, recorders, percussion and voices evoke soaring birds, slithering reptiles, and creatures like the unicorn and basilisk. Serving as both mythology and Christian allegory, these fantastic visions of the animal kingdom continue to provoke the modern as well as the medieval imagination.
The concert will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Manhattan; it will be followed by a reception with the artists.
