The experience of exile can take many forms–from banishment to estrangement to homesickness. The despair of being unwillingly separated from all that is familiar resonates deeply in the human soul. Voices and viols unite in 16th-c. polyphony from Spain, France, Holland, Italy, England, and Germany that depicts both physical and psychological exile. From well-known composers Dowland, Rossi, and Ferrabosco to the less Ruimonte, Camphuysen, and Cavendish, the ensemble has sought out a variety of perspectives on displacement and isolation. Two New England composers, Will Ayton and Roy Sansom, contribute contemporary perspectives on ancient themes. Today, as our society experiences social fragmentation, massive migration, and ongoing wars between neighbors, the themes of exile, separation, and disconnection resonate deeply with many of us. This concert offers the chance to connect across time with people who experienced similar upheavals and sought hope through music just as we do today. 

Nota Bene Viol Consort 

Joanna Blendulf, Wendy Gillespie, Sarah Mead, Emily Walhout, viols

Anney Barrett and Michael Barrett, voices

Tickets $5-35