Sprightly and Cheerful Musick: English Renaissance Duets for Lutes, Cittern and Bandora

The new season of Early Music Afternoons begins with a concert of duets from the Elizabethan, Jacobean and Caroline courts performed by Olav Chris Henriksen, lute and cittern, and Matthew Wright, lute and bandora.  The duo will play music by John Johnson, Robinson, Dowland, Lawes and others. The concert will take place in the newly renovated Somerville Museum. Admission is $20 general admission, $15 students, seniors, and Museum members. Tickets are available at the door. Ample street parking is available, and the Museum is now ADA compliant. For further information, call (617) 666-9810 or go to www.somervillemuseum.org.  

           During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the court lutenists began to compose not only lute solos, but also duets. This tradition continued through the reigns of James I and Charles I, and the royal lutenists also provided music for wire-strung plucked instruments, including the small cittern and the larger bandora. Chris and Matt’s program will include ballad tunes, fantasies, court dances, theater tunes and tunes in the style of bellringing.

Chris Henriksen and Matt Wright have played together many times, collaborating on several projects including Seven Times Salt, Music for Viols and Friends, and other musical adventures, but this is the first time the two have appeared together as a duo.  Chris has a jazz background, and these days he performs regularly as a soloist and ensemble player on lutes, theorbo, and early guitars. Matt used to be bass guitarist in a rock band, as well as playing classical guitar, and now he spends his time on lute, bandora, archlute, and other unusual instruments (he also sings). Both are respected musicians and well known in the Boston area and beyond.

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