June 1 and 2, 2019: The Lascivious Low Road: Currying favor in Medieval France

F.A.U.V.E.L: Flattery, avarice, vileness, variability, envy, laziness. These are the character traits of Fauvel, a medieval hybrid creature, part human, part equine. He is the incongruous “hero” of a late medieval French satire, The Roman de Fauvel. Fauvel, despite his utter incompetence, rises to the heights of political influence, with the aid of Lady Fortune and her vacuous daughter, Vainglory. Toadies rush to his side to “curry fauvel,” the original form of the term “curry favor”, which is still in use today. This early critique of the abuse of power is razor sharp, appalling and very funny. The fabulous early Fourteenth Century manuscript which preserves Fauvel includes thousands of lines of poetry, brilliant illustrations, and every kind of music, from drunken song-refrains to cutting-edge motets by Philippe de Vitry. Our concert-length performance will be illuminated by images from the manuscript.

Performing are Drew Minter, voice and harp; Shira Kammen, Medieval fiddle; Mark Rimple, citole and gittern; Mary Springfels, citole and vielle; Tracy Cowart, harp and voice; Spiff Wiegand, hurdy-gurdy and percussion.

Concert Dates:

Saturday, June 1, 2019, 7.30pm: San Miguel Chapel, Santa Fe.
Sunday, June 2, 2019, 3.00 pm: Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, Los Alamos
Admission $20;  Students free with ID.

Open rehearsal Friday, May 31, 3:00 pm: Unitarian Universalists of Santa Fe, 107 W. Barcelona Rd., Santa Fe; $10 donation requested.