Toronto’s eclectic Apocryphonia and Friends of Music St. Thomas’ will present a concert of English and French music that spans the period of the Hundred Years’ War — technically, a little longer at about 116 (1337–1453). Montréal’s Comtessa Medieval Ensemble and Toronto’s Diapente Renaissance Vocal Quintet will perform both sacred and secular works from that era on September 5.
Naturally, Western Europe was in a state of turmoil for this prolonged period, and the political environment sparked musical innovation.
Along with the works of known composers like Machaut and Dufay, audiences will hear the work of anonymous masters in both the French and English styles of the era. The performance will reveal surprising links between the music of the political rivals.
Music, as always, moves beyond borders.
The Program
The music ranges from the rhythmically intricate polyphony of the (largely) French Ars Nova music in the 14th century to the emergence of the Contenance Angloise, an English style of polyphony that is characterized by its harmonies, and the use of thirds and sixths, among other elements.
The program includes music by:
- Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300 – April 1377)
- Guillaume Dufay (5 August 1397 – 27 November 1474)
- Leonel Power (c. 1380–1445)
- Solage (fl. late 14th c.)
- Antoine Busnois (c. 1430 – before 6 November 1492)
- Loyset Compère (c. 1445 – 16 August 1518)
- Gilles Binchois (c. 1400 – 20 September 1460)
The Performers
COMTESSA
COMTESSA is Isabelle Douailly-Backman, vielle, Len Torrie, voice, and Maria Gajraj, organetto.
The vielle is a medieval bowed stringed instrument, longer than a violin, and with a deeper body. The organetto was a popular instrument from about the 13th to the late 16th centuries. It’s a portable instrument, where the musician plumps air into the instrument with a bellows in their left hand, producing notes through a series of metal pipes of different lengths. The right hand plays a kind of keyboard — in other words, using the principles of a pipe organ.
Isabelle Douailly-Backman, Medieval Fiddle, Rebec, and Renaissance Violin player will be performing on the Medieval Fiddle for the concert. A Chicago native, Isabelle moved to Montréal to study the modern viola at McGill University. But, once there, she discovered a passion for Early Music, and has since earned both a B.Mus and M.Mus in Baroque Violin. She is the artistic director and founder of COMTESSA, an historically-informed ensemble who performs 11th to 15th century music on medieval period instruments.
Maria Gajraj a Montréal-based organist, currently a Doctoral Candidate at McGill University, where she’s focused her research on 20th-century Caribbean organ repertoire. She has performed eat venues like Salle Bourgie, Maison Symphonique, and the Orgelpark (Amsterdam) and in series such as Cal Performances (USA) and Bergen Orgelsommer (Norway). Maria is also the executive director of COMTESSA.
Soprano and singer-songwriter Len Torrie plays the Citole and Anglo-saxon Lyre with COMTESSA. Len performs regularly as a soprano soloist with a number of Early Music ensembles, including L’Harmonie des Saisons, Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, and Ensemble Caprice. Len holds a master’s degree in Early Music vocal performance from McGill University. Like the other members of COMTESSA, Len is dedicate to inclusion and making music accessible.
Diapente Renaissance Vocal Quintet
The Diapente Renaissance Vocal Quintet is: Jane Fingler, soprano, Peter Koniers, countertenor, Jonathan Stuchbery, tenor and plucked strings, Alexander Cappellazzo, tenor, and Martin Gomes, bass.
Soprano Jane Fingler is a native of Winnipeg, but is now baed in Toronto, where she has a busy performing career both as an ensemble singer and soloist. She’s performed with the Tafemusik Baroque Choir, The Trinity Bach Project, and The Theatre of Early Music, and is a founding member of Toronto-based Diapente Renaissance Quintet. Along with her work in Early Music, Jane has also performed contemporary works with Toronto groups Choir 21 and Opus 8. She is currently pursuing a DMA in Historical Performance at the University of Toronto.
Countertenor Peter Koniers has performed with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra & Chamber Choir, and has performed a variety of roles in both Baroque and modern operas, including Purcell’s Fairy Queen, Benjamin Britten’s Midsummer Night’sDream, and the new opera Much Ado!. He is a founder of Diapente, and joined the Toronto Consort in their 2024-2025 season.
Tenor Alexander Cappellazzo has sung in operas and oratorios that range from Handel, Bach and Mozart, to Wagner, Orff and Smetana, including a wide variety of roles. Alexander sings with opera companies across Canada including: Opera Atelier, VOICEBOX: Opera In Concert, Toronto City Opera, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, Opera By Request, OperOttawa, Opera York, Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, and the Cultureland Opera Collective; and with choirs including the Trinity Bach Project, Grand River Chorus, Toronto Choral Society, Edison Singers, Brott Music Festival, and Metropolitan United Church. He founded the Apocryphonia Concert Series and the Diapente Renaissance Vocal Quintet in 2022.
Tenor Jonathan Stuchbery is also a specialist in stringed period instruments in the lute and guitar family. He has performed as a soloist with ensembles such as Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Arion Orchestre Baroque, Rosa Barocca, Accademia de’ Dissonanti, Aureas Voces,Capella Intima, and in festivals and series like Festival Bach de Montréal, Festival Montréal Baroque, Early Music Alberta, and Musique Royale. As part of Duo Oriana with soprano Sinéad White, he released an album in 2023 on the Leaf Music label, and toured Canada, the UK, and Ireland.
Bass Martin Gomes is an Afro/Latino, queer writer and composer born and based in downtown Toronto. He has performed in, and with organizations such as Opera Atelier, CBC, Sony, Soho House, The Harbourfront Centre, Nuit Blanche, TOLive, and Treemonisha. In addition to performing, Martin works as an artist facilitator teaching poetry & beatboxing for organizations such as Unity Charity, Lakeshore Arts, JAYU, VIBEArts, tdsbCREATES, and Crossroads Theatre.
Concert Details
The September 5 concert is part of the Friends of Music at St. Thomas’s Concert Series and the Apocryphonia Concert Series.
- Venue: St. Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron Street
- Tickets: Pay What You Wish ($40 Suggested, Students $20)
Find tickets and concert details [HERE].
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