Viol player-soprano Lucine Musaelian, lutenist-soprano Emma-Lisa Roux and the musicians of Musica Antica bring to life the musical world of the musician, poet and courtier Tarquinia Molza (1542 - 1617).

 

The talented Tarquinia Molza (1542–1617), a viol player, composer, improviser, and singer, was known for her virtuosity and skill at self-accompaniment. After her husband died, Molza was called to Ferrara to work as a lady-in-waiting to Duchess Margherita Gonzaga. She worked closely with the famous concerto delle donne, interacting with composers like Luzzasco Luzzaschi, Giaches de Wert, and Luca Marenzio. Accused of having an affair with court composer Giaches de Wert, Molza is eventually banished from Ferrara and returns to Mantua where she lives out her days. Though many details of Tarquinia Molza’s life remain a mystery, this programme honors her talent and her love for music, painting a musical picture of her illustrious life in court, as well as the moment it is all seemingly taken away from her. 

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​This programme was first devised by Lucine Musaelian at the Schola Cantorum, Basel, in 2020, and it is a great pleasure to host it for the first time in the UK. This concert will finish at 9:10pm.