Music from history
For ten days Ayia Napa is hoping to shrug off its beer and sunbeds image for a festival of medieval music
As the Roman Empire collapsed in 476 AD, a new style of music came into being within Europe that we now refer to as ‘medieval music’. The earliest medieval music was chant, or ‘plainsong’, which developed separately in several European centres including Rome, Spain and Ireland.
The simplicity of chant, with unison voice and natural declamation, came to stand as the main characteristic of medieval music. Although simple in its nature, it was always exciting and uplifting. The tempo, volume and rhythm varied from one time to the next, as would the kind of instrument used to accompany it. The medieval musician, professional or amateur, was expected to improvise, adding and changing musical materials as he or she performed a piece. The church, the local tavern, and even the town court were all used as meeting places where melodies ranging from the sacred to the profane were sung in unison.
The instruments used to perform medieval music are largely still in existence, albeit in different and altered forms. The trumpet was widely used, traditionally made of wood or ivory rather than metal. One of the flute’s predecessors, the pan flute was also very popular in medieval times, and is possibly of Hellenic origin. The instrument’s pipes were made of wood, and were graduated in length to produce different pitches. Many medieval string instruments, including the mandolin, psaltery and zither, were much like the modern-day guitar. String instruments without sound boxes such as the harp and Jew’s harp were also popular.
By the medieval era, Cyprus had changed hands a number of times, and this tumultuous history permeated the culture of our island tremendously. Between 1359 and 1432, Cyprus became the cultural capital of Europe due to its strategic position and the Lusignan influences, when French musicians became well established on the island. “In medieval times, Ayia Napa and the whole Famagusta area stood as a prosperous cultural ‘hot-point’ in the Mediterranean region, known for its flute players… grand cultural events took place within the walls of Famagusta and people from across the seas came to enjoy magnificent concerts,” explained artistic director of this month’s medieval festival in Ayia Napa, Michael Christodoulides.
“Unfortunately, the days when Ayia Napa was associated with culture and class have long gone… any tourist now associates the area with sun-bathing, clubbing and beer drinking. For ten days we wish to transform Ayia Napa, and to bring a touch of class and the glorious spirit of medieval times back to the town,” he added.
The upcoming festival, held in Ayia Napa’s monastery, opens on June 23 with compositions by Christodoulides, inspired by the romantic love poetry of the 16th century.
Over the following days there will be performances by groups from Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Among the highlights are the Troubadors Ensemble from France led by Gerard Zuchetto, performing on June 24. The group sings Occitan troubadours ballads from the 12th and 13th centuries, the same medieval songs that gave rise to the first modern literature of Europe. Highly effective instrumentation and a subtle use of voices help to put together a performance that has won the seal of approval from the most stringent international festivals, demonstrating a capacity to surprise audiences unfamiliar with this kind of music.
Also of great interest is the Swiss performance by the La Morra group, which has recently been performing late Medieval and early Renaissance music in prestigious shows around the world. La Morra’s most recent recording, Flour de Beaulte, is dedicated to early fifteenth-century secular music that originated at the Lusignan court of Cyprus. The festival will close with two fantastic evenings revolving around a colourful street theatre show by the Baracca dei Buffoni and Bizantina group from Italy. The show will include fire-eaters, acrobats, singers and musicians.
“This concert has so very much to offer the public,” enthused Christodoulides. “There will be the unique chance to understand how people listened to and appreciated music centuries ago. Moreover, you will hear fresh, beautiful songs untainted by modern technology with many roots in our island’s rich historic past”.
Medieval Festival
Groups from Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Greece and Cyprus performing medieval music and songs. June 23-July 1. 9pm. Free. Ayia Napa Monastery. Tel: 25-372855
Performances
June 23: 16th Century Cyprus Medieval Music
June 24 and 26: The Troubadours Art Ensemble, France
June 25: La Morra Basel, Switzerland
June 27: Ony Wytars, Germany
June 28: La Rossignol, Italy
June 29: Clemencic Concort, Austria
June 30: Baracca dei Buffoni and Bizantina Group, Street Theatre, Italy
July 1: Baracca dei Buffoni and Bizantia Group, Street Theatre, Italy
