Coranto Early Dance & Music
Artistic Director: Diana Scrivener FCCM FGMS LRAD
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Coranto Early Dance & Music Artistic Director: Diana Scrivener FCCM FGMS LRAD
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Events
On 28 & 29 May 2000, Coranto participated in the BBC Music Live festival which was a countrywide celebration of live musical events. Our event was held at Old Wardour Castle (English Heritage) and featured 'Dances through the Millennium'. Below are some pictures from the event.
Coranto was joined on 28 May by the Mediaeval duo Lammas who provided a variety of musical accompaniments for the Mediaeval, Renaissance and Elizabethan periods covered that day. This was a new venture - the first time the two groups had worked together - and we all hope it will not be the last.
Members of Coranto & Lammas at Old Wardour Castle (EH) Wiltshire On 29 May Coranto took visitors through the Elizabethan, 17th and 18th centuries, with accompaniment provided by Gilbert Rowland at the harpsichord. The event was well patronized by the dedicated visitors who braved the elements - winds, rain and sunshine - we experienced them all, save a hurricane, tornado and a blizzard. It was encouraging to see so many members of the audience trying their hands and feet at some of the simple steps as we danced our way through the last Millennium. The highlight was a tremendous Farandole which wove its way around the castle and grounds in true Mediaeval fashion. Coranto also performed again at Old Wardour Castle on 12 and 13 August. During the week-end of 17th century Dance and Music, three historical periods were covered:- Elizabethan (drawing to a close at the start of the century), 17th century country dances (at their most popular during the middle decades) and the Baroque (which came into fruition towards the end of the century).
Audience Participation at Old Wardour Castle (EH) This event offered suites of dance and music, audience participation, together with informative chat about all aspects of the performance.
Dancers in repose at Old Wardour Castle (EH)
On 7 May 2002 Coranto danced at The Bridge House Hotel in Beaminster Dorset, giving a concert of Elizabethan and Jacobean Dance and Music. This was part of the Inscape Arts Tour Season. The following is a comment about the performance from the Inscape Administrator, Sarah Salter:- "I am writing to thank you so much for your wonderful contribution to our study days. I have had most enthusiastic reports and we are extremely grateful to you for providing such an excellent display."
Dancers at The Bridge House Hotel, Beaminster On 13 & 14 July 2002 Diana Scrivener, in collaboration with Emma Murphy (Recorder), conducted a week-end workshop in Elizabethan Dance at Morley College in London. This was primarily for recorder players and provided them with some insight into the dances of this period. It was particularly useful with regard to the tempi and phrasing. As a result of the performance in Beaminster in May and the complimentary comments from Inscape Fine Art Study Tours, Coranto ventured to Stamford in October, for an intimate performance of 17th century dance and music for another study tour organised by Inscape.On 9 April 2003 Coranto joined forces with the A Cappella Choir of South Wilts Grammar School in a performance of late 16th and 17th century dance, music and song. The concert took place in The Guildhall in the centre of Salisbury, Wiltshire and was entitled 'In Praise of Elizabeth I'. This year is the 400th anniversary of the death of Elizabeth I and we wanted to commemorate the life of 'Gloriana' with a celebration of the dance and music that was popular during her reign. In addition to dance suites and choral works, pieces were played on the harpsichord and by the recorder group, The Falkner Consort, from South Wilts Grammar School.Coranto performed in Cornwall in July 2005 at a Charity event in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
There are plans afoot for a collaboration with Dorchester Parish for celebrations to commemorate the 400th anniversary of The Revd John White (vicar of Dorchester in 1605) who sailed for the New World later that year. This event will take place on 9 September 2006 in Dorchester. It will be an evening of Early Dance and Music from the late 16th and 17th century. The concert will take place at St Mary's Church, Dorchester at 7.30pm. Ticket prices are £8 and £6 (concessions) and in the first instance are available from 01305 261663/07977 568757, or alternatively by email from: coranto@aol.com. Payment is accepted by cheque (payable to Coranto) or cash (no credit cards). Coranto had been asked to perform in Moscow in May 2006 as part of the Antiquarium Festival of Early Music. However, there were some problems with partnership funding and this venture has been put on hold. |
