Chanticleer & Alkemie | June 9

French composer and poet Guillaume de Machaut was one of the leading minds of the Middle Ages. His Messe de Nostre Dame is one of the first multi-movement, large-scale notated compositions to exist in the Western canon and has been called the “genesis of modern music” (Los Angeles Times). This program features Machaut’s magnum opus as well as the secular songs of minstrels and bards from the Middle Ages to create an evening of artistry, revelry, and dance. The Festival continues its decades-long association with Chanticleer, one of SFEMS’ original fiscal affiliates! We are also excited to welcome back Alkemie, which wowed audiences during their 2022–23 SFEMS concert debut.

The GRAMMY® Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for its wide-ranging repertoire and dazzling virtuosity. Founded in San Francisco in 1978 by singer and musicologist Louis Botto, Chanticleer quickly took its place as one of the most prolific recording and touring ensembles in the world, selling over one million recordings and performing thousands of live concerts to audiences around the world. Chanticleer’s repertoire is rooted in the Renaissance and has continued to expand to include a wide range of classical, gospel, jazz, popular music, and a deep commitment to the commissioning of new compositions and arrangements.

Founded in 2013 and based in Brooklyn, Alkemie transports us to the enchanting world of medieval court and folk music, committed to dismantling the barriers that have traditionally separated these two domains. Comprised of singer-performers playing over a dozen instruments (including vielles, harps, psaltery, gittern, recorders, douçaines, and percussion), the ensemble is grounded in historical performance practice, fed by a love of experimentation, and passionate about exploring and celebrating the vibrant and timeless sounds of the past. Alkemie curated, composed, and recorded music for the video game Pentiment, and will be releasing multiple new albums in the 2023-24 season including the much-anticipated "A Fine Companion," a collaborative endeavor with sister ensemble, Freelance Nun.