History is full of bad rulers, yet in every age, people have continued making beautiful things. The Early Music Youth Academy, an ensemble of eight young students playing Renaissance consort music on viola da gamba, violin, lute, and harp, is joined by guest soprano Emili Rice in celebrating this musical resilience. You'll hear gorgeous consort music and song from the courts and times -- and even the very pens -- of some of European history's most notoriously wretched monarchs. Alongside the music, we share a bit of history about the composers and players who made good art in the shadow of political corruption and cruelty. Skilled students aged 13-15 are led from the Renaissance violin by director Shulamit Kleinerman, winner of Early Music America's 2015 Laurette Goldberg Award for historical music outreach. All ages are welcome at EMYA's free one-hour programs, but this one is recommended for ages 9 to adult because of the historical content.
