by Candace Barrington

Once again, David Wallace has alerted us to a musical adaptation of a Chaucerian text. This time it’s “The Love Birds” at the Folger Library in Washington DC. Based on Chaucer’s The Parliament of Foules, the performance intersperses Chaucer’s “vision of avian politics … with bracing and intricate music of his times from England and France, perfectly mirrored by the newly-composed music” by Juri Seo, a Korean-born America composer.

Juri Seo’s website features excerpts from the composer’s jazz-inflected, chanson-influenced music for small ensembles.

The performances are appropriately timed for Valentines Day, 14-16 February 2025.

If you are able to attend the Friday performance on 14 February, consider arriving early for the pre-concert discussion with Christopher Kendall and Robert Eisenstein, co-Artistic Directors of the Folger Consort, at 7:00pm. Free entry with concert ticket.

Want to learn more? Or regret that you cannot attend? Register for the online seminar on Wednesday, 12 February, at 6pm. Led by Folger Consort Artistic Director Robert Eisenstein, this virtual seminar provides a sneak peek at the music performed.