Issue 38 Summer web 23 - Flipbook - Page 94
ArchiCantiores
Singing and performing for the architectural heritage
ArchiCantiores - a troupe of musicians and wordsmiths tells stories; they weave narratives around the heritage of
the buildings and places in which they are invited to perform
a bespoke blend of music and poetry, of songs and readings.
What’s in a name, people may ask: well, a moniker that
is unique,:
“Archi-”, obviously in support of architectural heritage;
“Cantiores”, a found name that chimes with Cantor and
Cantiones, Singer and Songs.
And if you think that strange, then check out the amazing
musicianship of ‘the little green beans’, Robert Hollingworth’s
highly polished musical ensemble “I Fagiolini”.
Jonathan Louth, architect and founder, says “I like to
think we are a premier ‘rehearse-perform’ troupe in that,
after individual preparation at home, our ensemble turns
up at the venue where we are booked, rehearses, takes a
break, and performs.
There is a spontaneity, a live-ness, an authenticity to the
brand, allowing ArchiCantiores to reveal and respond to
the mood of the event: exhibitions, receptions, banquets,
festivals, halls, conferences, cathedrals & churches.
Below, ArchiCantiores in performance with Duo Giuliano-Mikeleiz
at Luke Hughes Gallery, featuring DKT Artworks’ “Quill” music
stand, carved by Hugh Wedderburn - Credit DKT Artworks
Subject to a sufficiency of funds, they go where invited.
Since their roots in the ArchiCantuor quartet that started
in 2009, that has encompassed London, Munich, Paris,
Berlin, Winchester, Faversham, York, and even Kansas
USA.
The troupe presents sounds and texts that society will
have heard through the ages, in times before the cut-glass
perfection of CDs and downloads stole the practice of
music-making from out of the homes of the population at
large.
Then before the 2020 pandemic, ArchiCantiores went
plural – supporting Holy Cross Cromer Street in “Open
for Music”, exploiting the nuanced chamber acoustic of
the church and its proximity to London KingsX: the
nine-month series collaborated with and show-cased
Gabrielli Ensemble, CarmenCo, Duo Giuliano-Mikeleiz
among others, and featured new music by Jared
Armstrong & Simon Morecroft, alongside Elizabeth
Lutyens & Aaron Copeland. Morecroft’s Butcher of Rye
cantata was presented to Sutton House Music Society, in
Richard Griffiths’ scholarly & innovative conservation
project there for the National Trust.
