Troubadours Return for Third Annual Performance

On Sunday, August 26th at 3 pm at the , The West Tisbury Free Public Library will present the third annual performance of The World of the Troubadours and Trobairitz; Poems and Songs from 12th and 13th Century Southern of France.

The program, which has been performed at the for the past two years, has grown in popularity and scope and is being held at the Katharine Cornell Theater for the first time. Featuring internationally known soprano, Jessica Goodenough Heuser, the performance will include the history, songs, stories and poems of the Troubadours and Trobairitz - medieval men and women believed to be the inventors of modern verse.

“An afternoon of Troubadours and Trobairitz is a literary and musical feast for the senses.  Well-researched original medieval verses, authentic costumes, and period music bear the stamp of their 13th and 14th Century origins, while evocations of love and amorous conflict performed by Island friends and neighbors create the feeling that these poems and this music belong to us and our time as much as they do to the past,” said Leslie Gray of West Tisbury.

Also included in the program will be a brief historical introduction by Dr. Marisa Galvez, Assistant Professor of French at Stanford University. Jenny Allen and Justen Ahren will perform a duet in which a lady questions the loyalty of her lover and there will also be songs and verses performed by Beth Kramer, Susanna Sturgis, Joe Eldridge and Jonathan Revere.

“Terrific performance, beautiful poems and songs along with notes on their history. Was enthralled by the readers of the poems and the voice of soprano Jessica Goodenough Heuser. Am looking forward to next summer’s performance,” said Susan Strang of Chilmark

The World of the Troubadours and Trobairitz; Poems and Songs from 12th and 13th Century Southern of France takes place on Sunday, August 26th at the Katharine Cornell Theater. 3 pm. Free and open to the public. For more information, please email plevine@stanford.edu or call 508 693 2072.