
Friday March 27th, 2026, at 12 Noon
The Arms Library
Corner of Bridge and Main Streets
Shelburne Falls
CANTABILE
Six-voice a cappella vocal ensemble
Aidan Linden, James Mead, Katrina Turner,
Maki Matsui, Nina Wurgaft and Peter Shea
With guests Justina Golden and Eleanor Lincoln
This program is a mélange of legends, vignettes, Bible stories and tall tales; sung in five languages and set to music spanning half a millennium. The selections range from a motet found in the Medici Codex of 1518, to works composed last year for the group by local composer Clifton Jerry Noble. There are several pieces about rulers like King David and England's Queen Elizabeth I, as well as musical accounts of unfortunate events, including a shipwreck that turns into a Christmas party, a king bewitched by mermaids, a gullible knight, and a rather naughty mosquito. Several Renaissance composers are featured, among them Palestrina, Gesualdo and Weelkes. In addition to Noble's pieces, other more recent music will be heard, such as arrangements of an African-American spiritual and a song by English composer Herbert Howells, and prominent poets like Walter de la Mare, Robert Frost and Heinrich Heine will have their words sung.
The concert is free. Seating is limited, come early!

