Deborah Roberts, Tessa Bonner, Katharine Hawnt sopranos Claire Wilkinson mezzo soprano Caroline Trevor alto Frances Kelly harp David Miller chitarrone Nicholas Parle organ and harpsichord

Musica Secreta is unique in the UK as being the only group researching and performing the vast repertoire appropriate for female voices, be they nuns, courtiers or courtesans! As none of the music we sing and play was ever intended for ‘concert’ performance we are experimenting with exciting and imaginative ways to present this sensuous and ethereal soundworld, by using drama and film to contextualise the music.

Although we have performed and recorded much music composed specifically for ensembles of women, we are now realising that much ‘mainstream’ music would have been adapted for all-female performance, particularly within convents. This opens up a wealth of repertoire: Josquin, Palestrina, Lassus, Victoria and even New World composers belong to a genre long considered the unique domain of male voices. We are breaking down conventional barriers and challenging attitudes and prejudices with a team comprising some of the most experienced musicians, as well as some exciting new faces.

Sample Programme:

Fallen: A fusion of film, live music and drama. A collaboration between Musica Secreta, playwright Fiona Mackie, theatrical director Anthony Richards and filmmaker T Perrin Sledge, commissioned with funds from Arts Council England The film is projected on to a vast floating screen, with the musicians of Musica Secreta and (where possible) a locally-recruited female choir positioned behind, robed as nuns and representing the convent choir. Siren music punctuates the drama, disturbing the characters and heightening the emotional intensity. The nuns fade in and out of view and at times merge with the images on the screen.
‘Spine tingling’ The Argus

Education:

Fallen can be performed using local student and amateur female choirs. They are rehearsed and trained by the musical and theatrical directors and provided with costumes.

Recordings:

Alessandro Grandi, Motetti a cinque voci, 1614, and music from Fallen (August 2007 Metier Productions)

Performances:

14 Oct 06 Brighton Early Music Festival
18 May 07 University of Cork
14 Sep 07 South Bank Early Music Weekend, QEH

Contact:

Deborah Roberts, Flat 4,
32 Adelaide Crescent, Hove BN3 2JH

Tel/Fax: 01273 833788

Email: deborah@musica-secreta.com Website: www.musica-secreta.com