Fleury's VISITATIO SEPULCHRI
PRESENTED BY: The Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MARS), the Department of Dramatic Arts and the Department of Music at Brock University
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Professor Virginia Reh
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Dr. Brian E Power
SYNOPSIS: Visitatio Sepulchri, a 12th century liturgical drama in Latin from the ‘Fleury Playbook’. Oxford University Press, transcribed and translated by W.L. Smolden. The drama was usually performed after the Matins Easter morning service. Mary Magdalen, Mary the Mother of James and Mary Salome carry spices to the sepulchre and find the tomb empty. An Angel asks why they seek Jesus (“quem queritas”) and tells them Jesus has risen. Magdalen tells the disciples Peter and John, who race to the sepulchre. Magdalen continues to seek her Lord and is reassured by two Angels. Mary encounters a Gardener who reveals himself as Christ. All sing a Te Deum.
COMPANY BIOGRAPHY: Brock University has also been celebrating its 50th anniversary and drama and music have been part of the university from the earliest days. Both departments now have busy performance schedules and this year we (with Visual Arts) are looking forward to moving into our new facilities in downtown St. Catharines. MARS and Dramatic Arts collaborated on The Purification and Christ and the Doctors for the PLS Chester Cycle in 2010.
DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Professor Virginia Reh teaches directing and acting and directs mainstage productions in the Department of Dramatic Arts. Her research is in various forms of lyric theatre, particularly the development of new Canadian works. Over the years Virginia served two rounds on the board of the PLS and participated in the York Cycle. She directed the Vistiatio Sepulchre in St. Paul’s Church (Power St.) in 1977.
Dr. Brian E Power is an early music scholar, violinist, and choral singer, with a keen interest in music notation software. His research and publications concern manuscript transmission and performance-practice issues associated with late medieval and early Renaissance church music. He is the co-editor of the book: The Sounds and Sights of Performance in Early Music (Ashgate, 2009), and is currently preparing a scholarly edition of the introits of Trent Codex 93, a manuscript source of liturgical polyphony dating from the mid fifteenth century (for A-R Editions). He teaches courses in medieval, Renaissance and Canadian music history, music computer applications, and a specialized course in music and liturgy.
RUNNING TIME: 30 minutes
VENUE: Trinity Chapel
PERFORMANCE TIME: Saturday June 6th at 7pm and Sunday June 7th at 2:30pm
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Professor Virginia Reh
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Dr. Brian E Power
SYNOPSIS: Visitatio Sepulchri, a 12th century liturgical drama in Latin from the ‘Fleury Playbook’. Oxford University Press, transcribed and translated by W.L. Smolden. The drama was usually performed after the Matins Easter morning service. Mary Magdalen, Mary the Mother of James and Mary Salome carry spices to the sepulchre and find the tomb empty. An Angel asks why they seek Jesus (“quem queritas”) and tells them Jesus has risen. Magdalen tells the disciples Peter and John, who race to the sepulchre. Magdalen continues to seek her Lord and is reassured by two Angels. Mary encounters a Gardener who reveals himself as Christ. All sing a Te Deum.
COMPANY BIOGRAPHY: Brock University has also been celebrating its 50th anniversary and drama and music have been part of the university from the earliest days. Both departments now have busy performance schedules and this year we (with Visual Arts) are looking forward to moving into our new facilities in downtown St. Catharines. MARS and Dramatic Arts collaborated on The Purification and Christ and the Doctors for the PLS Chester Cycle in 2010.
DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Professor Virginia Reh teaches directing and acting and directs mainstage productions in the Department of Dramatic Arts. Her research is in various forms of lyric theatre, particularly the development of new Canadian works. Over the years Virginia served two rounds on the board of the PLS and participated in the York Cycle. She directed the Vistiatio Sepulchre in St. Paul’s Church (Power St.) in 1977.
Dr. Brian E Power is an early music scholar, violinist, and choral singer, with a keen interest in music notation software. His research and publications concern manuscript transmission and performance-practice issues associated with late medieval and early Renaissance church music. He is the co-editor of the book: The Sounds and Sights of Performance in Early Music (Ashgate, 2009), and is currently preparing a scholarly edition of the introits of Trent Codex 93, a manuscript source of liturgical polyphony dating from the mid fifteenth century (for A-R Editions). He teaches courses in medieval, Renaissance and Canadian music history, music computer applications, and a specialized course in music and liturgy.
RUNNING TIME: 30 minutes
VENUE: Trinity Chapel
PERFORMANCE TIME: Saturday June 6th at 7pm and Sunday June 7th at 2:30pm